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South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung recovering well after being stabbed

More than 150 names related to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein started getting revealed on Wednesday (Jan 3) as part of a settled lawsuit between Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged survivor Virginia Giuffre. 
 
The big names which emerged in the controversial documents included former US President Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew, scientist Stephen Hawking and others. 
 
In a ruling made earlier this month, US District Judge Loretta Preska claimed that there was no legal basis to maintain confidentiality related to the names of individuals. The documents have been revealed many years after Virginia Giuffre filed a case against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and accused her of working with Jeffrey Epstein in the alleged sex trafficking ring.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeffrey-epsteins-court-files-unsealed-prince-andrew-and-clinton-emerge-as-big-names-676343">Jeffrey Epstein's court files unsealed, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew emerge as big names</a>

Maxwell was also accused by Giuffre of defaming her by denying the claims made by her of sexual trafficking and abuse, which she faced as a minor during 1999-2002, publicly.

Epstein's&nbsp;prosecution&nbsp;over the&nbsp;accusations came to a halt abruptly after he was allegedly found hanging in a New York prison in August 2019.

<h2 lang="en-US">Bill Clinton - Doe 36 in Epstein's court documents</h2>

Former US president Bill Clinton, who has been referred to as "Doe 36" in the case files, is said to have been mentioned 50 times in the records. 
 
Even though Virginia Giuffre did not accuse Clinton of any wrongdoings, she said that she saw him spending time with two young women on Epstein's island, which he claimed to have never visited. 
 
Even though Clinton denied visiting the island, the flight records show that he was using Epstein's plane for&nbsp;visiting places like Paris, Bangkok, and Brunei after his presidency ended 
 
As per the records, another survivor Johanna Sjoberg had testified that Epstein had shared with her Bill Clinton "likes them young," while making reference to girls. Clinton also was in a relationship with a 22-year-old White House intern while he was serving as the US president.

<h2 lang="en-US">Stephen Hawking's connection with underage orgy</h2>

In 2015, just after a civil claim was filed by Virginia Giuffre in the US, in an email sent by Jeffrey Epstein to the disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell it was revealed that she was asked by Epstein to "issue a reward" to any of her friends – who can help in countering her claims that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-clinton-likes-them-young-epstein-court-files-expose-former-us-presidents-dark-sexual-desires-676452">'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show</a>

“You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy,” read the email, as reported by the Irish News.

<h2 lang="en-US">The royal connection – Prince Andrew</h2>

Virginia Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked to Britain's Prince Andrew where she encountered a 
"wicked" and "really scary time" about an incident which occurred in March 2001. She said that visiting the nightclub, Ghislaine Maxwell asked her to "do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey.” However, Prince Andrew claimed that he never met Virginia Giuffre and that all her claims were 'false' 
 
In the documents released, references have been made to Johanna Sjoberg - who had alleged that Prince Andrew groped her while she was sitting on a couch in the Manhattan apartment of Epstein in 2001.

<h2 lang="en-US">Larry Page and lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase</h2>

The government of the US Virgin Islands made efforts to serve a subpoena on Google co-founder Larry Page for obtaining the documents which may have helped in the civil lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase.

Watch:&nbsp;Names of Jeffrey Epstein associates and others unsealed in lawsuit documents

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/names-of-jeffrey-epstein-associates-and-others-unsealed-in-lawsuit-documents-676385/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The lawsuit was connected to allegations of sex trafficking faced by a longtime customer of the bank Jeffrey Epstein. “Larry Page —the co-founder and co-owner of Alphabet Inc. (Google LLC's parent company)—is a high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan” as a customer, said lawyers, in their court filing.

<h2 lang="en-US">Glenn Dubin's message</h2>

Virginia Giuffre, in her lawsuit, has said that Ghislaine Maxwell had asked her to give a “massage” to billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin. Giuffre said, “And when they say massage, that means erotic, okay? That's their term for it. I think there are plenty of other witnesses who can attest to what massage actually means. And I'm telling you that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex,” according to the documents, shared by Forbes.

Other famous personalities like Nobel laureate Lawrence Krauss, Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield, comedian Chris Tucker, actor Kevin Spacey, Victoria's Secret magnate Les Wexner and model Naomi Campbell have also been mentioned in the list of guests who visited Jeffrey Epstein's infamous island.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

More than 150 names related to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein started getting revealed on Wednesday (Jan 3) as part of a settled lawsuit between Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged survivor Virginia Giuffre.

More than 150 names related to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein started getting revealed on Wednesday (Jan 3) as part of a settled lawsuit between Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged survivor Virginia Giuffre. The big names which emerged in the controversial documents included former US President Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew, scientist Stephen Hawking and others. In a ruling made earlier this month, US District Judge Loretta Preska claimed that there was no legal basis to maintain confidentiality related to the names of individuals. The documents have been revealed many years after Virginia Giuffre filed a case against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and accused her of working with Jeffrey Epstein in the alleged sex trafficking ring. Also read: Jeffrey Epstein's court files unsealed, Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew emerge as big names Maxwell was also accused by Giuffre of defaming her by denying the claims made by her of sexual trafficking and abuse, which she faced as a minor during 1999-2002, publicly. Epstein's prosecution over the accusations came to a halt abruptly after he was allegedly found hanging in a New York prison in August 2019. Bill Clinton - Doe 36 in Epstein's court documents Former US president Bill Clinton, who has been referred to as "Doe 36" in the case files, is said to have been mentioned 50 times in the records. Even though Virginia Giuffre did not accuse Clinton of any wrongdoings, she said that she saw him spending time with two young women on Epstein's island, which he claimed to have never visited. Even though Clinton denied visiting the island, the flight records show that he was using Epstein's plane for visiting places like Paris, Bangkok, and Brunei after his presidency ended As per the records, another survivor Johanna Sjoberg had testified that Epstein had shared with her Bill Clinton "likes them young," while making reference to girls. Clinton also was in a relationship with a 22-year-old White House intern while he was serving as the US president. Stephen Hawking's connection with underage orgy In 2015, just after a civil claim was filed by Virginia Giuffre in the US, in an email sent by Jeffrey Epstein to the disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell it was revealed that she was asked by Epstein to "issue a reward" to any of her friends – who can help in countering her claims that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Also read: 'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show “You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy,” read the email, as reported by the Irish News. The royal connection – Prince Andrew Virginia Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked to Britain's Prince Andrew where she encountered a "wicked" and "really scary time" about an incident which occurred in March 2001. She said that visiting the nightclub, Ghislaine Maxwell asked her to "do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey.” However, Prince Andrew claimed that he never met Virginia Giuffre and that all her claims were 'false' In the documents released, references have been made to Johanna Sjoberg - who had alleged that Prince Andrew groped her while she was sitting on a couch in the Manhattan apartment of Epstein in 2001. Larry Page and lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase The government of the US Virgin Islands made efforts to serve a subpoena on Google co-founder Larry Page for obtaining the documents which may have helped in the civil lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase. Watch: Names of Jeffrey Epstein associates and others unsealed in lawsuit documents The lawsuit was connected to allegations of sex trafficking faced by a longtime customer of the bank Jeffrey Epstein. “Larry Page —the co-founder and co-owner of Alphabet Inc. (Google LLC's parent company)—is a high-net-worth individual who Epstein may have referred or attempted to refer to JPMorgan” as a customer, said lawyers, in their court filing. Glenn Dubin's message Virginia Giuffre, in her lawsuit, has said that Ghislaine Maxwell had asked her to give a “massage” to billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin. Giuffre said, “And when they say massage, that means erotic, okay? That's their term for it. I think there are plenty of other witnesses who can attest to what massage actually means. And I'm telling you that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex,” according to the documents, shared by Forbes. Other famous personalities like Nobel laureate Lawrence Krauss, Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield, comedian Chris Tucker, actor Kevin Spacey, Victoria's Secret magnate Les Wexner and model Naomi Campbell have also been mentioned in the list of guests who visited Jeffrey Epstein's infamous island. (With inputs from agencies)

Epstein case files: Here's what papers reveal about Clinton, Prince Andrew, Hawking and others

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Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan&nbsp;3rd), a&nbsp;New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to&nbsp;the US financier,&nbsp;who had committed suicide a couple of years back.

This comes as last month (on Dec 18), Manhattan federal court judge Loretta Preska ordered the New York Court to "unseal in full" the names of around 180 people associated with Epstein.

Here's everything you need to know about financier Epstein and the controversy that surrounds him...even after his death.

<h2>Unsealing names</h2>

Judge Preska's order is part of a defamation proceeding between Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, and known accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and plaintiff Virginia Giuffre, who had sued the duo in 2015.

The names of more than 150 associates mentioned&nbsp;in the lawsuit, many of them appearing under the pseudonym "John Doe" or "Jane Doe", are now being released, after their identities remained a secret from the public for so long. The rest of the names will be kept sealed&nbsp;as the individuals objected to them becoming public knowledge.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/stephen-hawking-visited-epsteins-disgraced-island-but-did-he-engage-is-underage-orgy-too-676444">Stephen Hawking visited Epstein's disgraced island but did he engage in 'underage orgy' too?</a>

The unsealing, as per AFP, includes names of Epstein's associates, suspected accomplices and his victims.

In December, noting that many of the names are already public due to interviews and other media coverage, the judge, as per CNS News, said that the substance in question was not salacious and should not be kept sealed.

However, given that some "J.Does" are minors and possible victims of the paramours, the Judge said their information would remain sealed.

Among Epstein's known associates are the Duke of York Prince Andrews, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-clinton-likes-them-young-epstein-court-files-expose-former-us-presidents-dark-sexual-desires-676452">'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show</a>

According to the ruling, the names were to be made public on January 1, 2024, individuals were given 14 days to appeal against the revelation of their names.&nbsp;

Court documents explicitly allowed "impacted Doe the opportunity to appeal."&nbsp;

<h2>The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein</h2>

Jeffrey Epstein was a financier with a powerful network in the United States and abroad. He has been accused of sexually assaulting minor girls and running a sex trafficking network with his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

In the 1990s, the duo reportedly exploited a large number of girls — some of them as young as 14 years, grooming them into having sex with wealthy clients.&nbsp;

The allegations of sexual battery against Jeffrey Epstein started in 2015, when a woman contacted Florida's Palm Beach Police Department, alleging that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's manor by an older girl. She alleged that the teenager was paid $300 to undress.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrews-reputation-highly-damaged-after-involvement-in-jeffrey-epstein-case-experts-say-407435">Prince Andrew's reputation 'highly damaged' after involvement in Jeffrey Epstein case, experts say</a>

Following this, the Palm Beach Police began a thirteen-month undercover investigation of Epstein. This included a search of his home, which uncovered a large amount of pictures of young girls, along with two hidden cameras.&nbsp;

Soon, the FBI became involved, launching its own investigation nicknamed "Operation Leap Year". In June 2007, the federal agency submitted a 53-page indictment against him. Subsequently, Epstein agreed to plead guilty in Florida, registering as a sex offender.

In 2008, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a state charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below age 18.

On July 6, 2019, he was arrested on sex trafficking charges by the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.

A subsequent search of his Manhattan townhouse turned up evidence of sex trafficking, and also found "hundreds – and perhaps thousands – of sexually suggestive photographs of fully – or partially – nude females". On July 8, prosecutors with the Public Corruption Unit of the Southern District of New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.

He sought release on bail, but the request was denied on July 18 by US District Judge Richard M Berman, who said Epstein posed a danger to the public and a serious flight risk to avoid prosecution.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiq4NPSt52DAxWMbGwGHXJrAb0QFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WcSnXuJPaOZAqHxCO7Qm2" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-claims-jeffrey-epstein-was-murdered-555514" target="_blank">Ghislaine Maxwell claims&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;was murdered</a>

On July 23, 2019, he was found injured in his cell, with marks around his neck. Finally, awaiting trial over charges of one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females, Epstein committed suicide in jail on August 10, 2019. Soon, Epstein's death became the subject of widespread controversy and debate. Many believe that his death was a homicide.

<h2>Virginia Giuffre v. Epstein and&nbsp;Virginia Giuffre v. Ghislaine Maxwell</h2>

As per British media reports, the defamation claim which dates back around nine years was settled in 2017. In an affidavit, Virginia&nbsp;Giuffre (then known as Virginia Roberts) alleged that at age 17, she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. Giuffre said that she was used by Epstein and others, including Prince Andrews and retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiq4NPSt52DAxWMbGwGHXJrAb0QFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0J4hFOEjk8895kB-WvA9p7" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638" target="_blank">Who's Who in the&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein&nbsp;sex scandal</a>

She also claimed that the duo and others had sexually abused her and that the FBI may have been part of a cover-up against her.&nbsp;

Apart from this, numerous other cases were filed against him&nbsp;by alleged victims under pseudonyms and other entities.&nbsp;

His paramour, Maxwell, was convicted in December 2021 in New York of trafficking underage girls for sex and was sentenced in 2022 to a 20-year prison term.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan 3rd), a New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to the US financier, who had committed suicide a couple of years back.

Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates have become public knowledge. On Wednesday (Jan 3rd), a New York judge began to unseal the identities of people linked in court documents to the US financier, who had committed suicide a couple of years back. This comes as last month (on Dec 18), Manhattan federal court judge Loretta Preska ordered the New York Court to "unseal in full" the names of around 180 people associated with Epstein. Here's everything you need to know about financier Epstein and the controversy that surrounds him...even after his death. Unsealing names Judge Preska's order is part of a defamation proceeding between Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, and known accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and plaintiff Virginia Giuffre, who had sued the duo in 2015. The names of more than 150 associates mentioned in the lawsuit, many of them appearing under the pseudonym "John Doe" or "Jane Doe", are now being released, after their identities remained a secret from the public for so long. The rest of the names will be kept sealed as the individuals objected to them becoming public knowledge. Also read | Stephen Hawking visited Epstein's disgraced island but did he engage in 'underage orgy' too? The unsealing, as per AFP, includes names of Epstein's associates, suspected accomplices and his victims. In December, noting that many of the names are already public due to interviews and other media coverage, the judge, as per CNS News, said that the substance in question was not salacious and should not be kept sealed. However, given that some "J.Does" are minors and possible victims of the paramours, the Judge said their information would remain sealed. Among Epstein's known associates are the Duke of York Prince Andrews, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. Also read | 'Bill Clinton likes them young', claimed Epstein, unsealed court files show According to the ruling, the names were to be made public on January 1, 2024, individuals were given 14 days to appeal against the revelation of their names. Court documents explicitly allowed "impacted Doe the opportunity to appeal." The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein Jeffrey Epstein was a financier with a powerful network in the United States and abroad. He has been accused of sexually assaulting minor girls and running a sex trafficking network with his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. In the 1990s, the duo reportedly exploited a large number of girls — some of them as young as 14 years, grooming them into having sex with wealthy clients. The allegations of sexual battery against Jeffrey Epstein started in 2015, when a woman contacted Florida's Palm Beach Police Department, alleging that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's manor by an older girl. She alleged that the teenager was paid $300 to undress. Also read | Prince Andrew's reputation 'highly damaged' after involvement in Jeffrey Epstein case, experts say Following this, the Palm Beach Police began a thirteen-month undercover investigation of Epstein. This included a search of his home, which uncovered a large amount of pictures of young girls, along with two hidden cameras. Soon, the FBI became involved, launching its own investigation nicknamed "Operation Leap Year". In June 2007, the federal agency submitted a 53-page indictment against him. Subsequently, Epstein agreed to plead guilty in Florida, registering as a sex offender. In 2008, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a state charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below age 18. On July 6, 2019, he was arrested on sex trafficking charges by the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. A subsequent search of his Manhattan townhouse turned up evidence of sex trafficking, and also found "hundreds – and perhaps thousands – of sexually suggestive photographs of fully – or partially – nude females". On July 8, prosecutors with the Public Corruption Unit of the Southern District of New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex. He sought release on bail, but the request was denied on July 18 by US District Judge Richard M Berman, who said Epstein posed a danger to the public and a serious flight risk to avoid prosecution. Also read | Ghislaine Maxwell claims Jeffrey Epstein was murdered On July 23, 2019, he was found injured in his cell, with marks around his neck. Finally, awaiting trial over charges of one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females, Epstein committed suicide in jail on August 10, 2019. Soon, Epstein's death became the subject of widespread controversy and debate. Many believe that his death was a homicide. Virginia Giuffre v. Epstein and Virginia Giuffre v. Ghislaine Maxwell As per British media reports, the defamation claim which dates back around nine years was settled in 2017. In an affidavit, Virginia Giuffre (then known as Virginia Roberts) alleged that at age 17, she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. Giuffre said that she was used by Epstein and others, including Prince Andrews and retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz. Also read | Who's Who in the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal She also claimed that the duo and others had sexually abused her and that the FBI may have been part of a cover-up against her. Apart from this, numerous other cases were filed against him by alleged victims under pseudonyms and other entities. His paramour, Maxwell, was convicted in December 2021 in New York of trafficking underage girls for sex and was sentenced in 2022 to a 20-year prison term. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues ‘beyond the grave’. Here’s all you need to know

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The US Justice Department on Wednesday (Jan 3) filed a lawsuit against Texas to challenge an immigration law that gives state officials broad powers to arrest, prosecute and deport people who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

<h2>Why it's important?</h2>

The law, known as SB4 or Senate Bill 4, makes it a state crime to illegally enter or re-enter Texas from a foreign country and gives state and local law enforcement authorities the power to arrest and prosecute violators. It also allows state judges to order that individuals be deported, with up to 20-year prison sentences for those who refuse to comply.

The Justice Department's lawsuit comes about two weeks after a lawsuit by civil rights groups that also challenged the new Republican-backed Texas law.

<h2>Key Quotes</h2>

"SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional," said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

"Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress," Gupta said in a statement released by the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday.

<h2>Context</h2>

The Republican-controlled Texas legislature passed the measure in November. The state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott, signed the law in December.

The Mexican government, whose foreign ministry describes the Texas law as an "anti-immigrant measure," welcomed the Justice Department's lawsuit and said measures like the legislation could foster hate crimes against migrant communities.

Texas is already embroiled in a series of court cases related to Abbott's efforts to deter and punish illegal border crossings.

Record numbers of migrants have been caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since President Joe Biden, a Democrat, took office in 2021. Abbott and other Republicans blame Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, for rolling back restrictive policies of former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican Party nomination.

The US Justice Department on Wednesday (Jan 3) filed a lawsuit against Texas to challenge an immigration law that gives state officials broad powers to arrest, prosecute and deport people who illegally cross the U.

The US Justice Department on Wednesday (Jan 3) filed a lawsuit against Texas to challenge an immigration law that gives state officials broad powers to arrest, prosecute and deport people who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Why it's important? The law, known as SB4 or Senate Bill 4, makes it a state crime to illegally enter or re-enter Texas from a foreign country and gives state and local law enforcement authorities the power to arrest and prosecute violators. It also allows state judges to order that individuals be deported, with up to 20-year prison sentences for those who refuse to comply. The Justice Department's lawsuit comes about two weeks after a lawsuit by civil rights groups that also challenged the new Republican-backed Texas law. Key Quotes "SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional," said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. "Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress," Gupta said in a statement released by the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday. Context The Republican-controlled Texas legislature passed the measure in November. The state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott, signed the law in December. The Mexican government, whose foreign ministry describes the Texas law as an "anti-immigrant measure," welcomed the Justice Department's lawsuit and said measures like the legislation could foster hate crimes against migrant communities. Texas is already embroiled in a series of court cases related to Abbott's efforts to deter and punish illegal border crossings. Record numbers of migrants have been caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since President Joe Biden, a Democrat, took office in 2021. Abbott and other Republicans blame Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, for rolling back restrictive policies of former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican Party nomination.

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