Don’t Mess With Texas: Senate Passes Bill Allowing Local, State Police To Arrest Illegal Immigrants’; Texas Senate Moves Border Bill That Allows State Police to Arrest Migrants at U.S.-Mexico Border

Don’t Mess With Texas: Senate Passes Bill Allowing Local, State Police To Arrest Illegal Immigrants:

The Texas Senate on Thursday approved a bill that will give local and state police the authority to arrest illegal migrants by making it a state crime to cross illegally into the United States. The bill, SB11, enables law enforcement to arrest those who violate the law.

Under current law, state and local authorities must seek federal permission before arresting illegals.

“Texas reached a record number of illegal immigrant apprehension in fiscal year 2023, with over 1.84 million apprehensions in Texas Sectors,” said state Sen. Brian Birdwell, author of the legislation. “As a result of the federal government’s unwillingness to enforce federal immigration laws and secure our southern border, Texas has stepped up and devoted time and resources to combat the unprecedented border crisis that the state is facing. SB 11 will give out troopers more authority to control the border and keep Texans safe.”

Last night during the 3rd special session the Senate passed five bills, descriptions attached, including SB11, which I authored, creating a new state crime for entering Texas improperly from a foreign nation. All of these bills are now in the House for their consideration #txlege pic.twitter.com/i7T4KiUD8C

— Sen. Brian Birdwell (@SenatorBirdwell) October 13, 2023

The bill passed late Thursday along party lines in a 19-12 vote, and is expected to advance following Gov. Greg Abbott’s show of support for the measure earlier this week. —>READ MORE HERE

Texas Senate moves border bill that allows state police to arrest migrants at U.S.-Mexico border:

The Senate advanced two immigration-related bills on Thursday evening, one of which would allow state police to arrest migrants who cross the southern border.

Senate Bill 11, sponsored by state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would create a new state crime for illegally entering Texas from Mexico and authorize state police to arrest violators. A first-time offender could be convicted of a misdemeanor, but the penalty would jump to a felony if the person has a criminal record and has repeatedly entered the country illegally.

The Senate gave initial approval to SB 11 with a 19-12 vote. The bill needs a final vote in the Senate before it goes to the House.

Senate Bill 4, sponsored by state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, would increase the minimum sentence from two years to 10 years for smuggling immigrants or operating a stash house. SB 4 passed with bipartisan support in a 29-2 vote.

Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott called for a third special legislative session since the regular session ended earlier this year, asking lawmakers to pass proposals on school vouchers and immigration enforcement. Abbott had asked lawmakers to approve immigration enforcement proposals during the regular legislative session and the previous special session, but lawmakers couldn’t come to an agreement and adjourned without passing an immigration enforcement bill.

Abbott has been critical of the Biden administration for years, blaming the president for the record-breaking number of Border Patrol apprehensions at the southern border.

Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, raised concerns about the ability of counties to comply with SB 11. He argued the number of people who would be arrested would overwhelm local jails and require significant funding for the defense of migrants who are arrested.

If the legislation passes, Sen. César Blanco estimated that SB 11 would cost El Paso taxpayers — his constituents — an additional $60,000 per day. —>READ MORE HERE

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