Texas To Arrest Migrants Crossing Border Illegally Under New Law

Under a new law, the authorities in Texas will arrest migrants suspected of crossing the United States-Mexico border illegally. Texas’s governor signed the new law that gave local officers power to arrest illegal migrants.

The law, known as SB 4, gives Texas law enforcement authorities the power to arrest and seek the deportation of migrants suspected of crossing the border illegally. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas on Monday signed the law. However, it will take effect in March. If migrants do not comply with law, they may face penalties. 

Texas new law

The SB4 law is one of the harshest state immigration laws in modern United States history. Under the law, the authorities can stop, arrest and jail migrants on state-level illegal entry charges. The judge will also order migrants to return to Mexico. Texas magistrate judges can also issue de facto deportation orders against suspected violators. If anyone is found not complying with the law, they can face penalties ranging from 180 days in prison to 20 years in prison. 

What can migrants expect?

SB4 was passed by Texas’ legislature earlier this year in an attempt to resolve the migrant crisis. The law triggered political clashes with civil rights groups and the Joe Biden administration.

Gov. Greg Abbott said at a signing ceremony on Monday, “The goal of Senate Bill 4 is to stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas. Senate Bill 4 is now law in the state of Texas.”

The law aims to challenge President Biden, a Democrat. Texas has experimented with a range of measures to eradicate the migrant crisis. 

In October, Texas House of Representatives, the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature, passed a bill to allow local police officers to arrest illegal migrants. In a direct challenge to federal power over immigration, the bill was aimed at making a state-level crime for migrants if they enter the country from Mexico.

Texas migrant crisis

In recent months, Texas has arrested various illegal migrants crossing the Rio Grande on trespassing charges. The illegal migrants were taken to a jail for weeks or months before turning them over to the Border Patrol.

For more than two years, the Texas governor has been enacting its own aggressive law enforcement policies in response to the surging number of illegal migrants crossing into Texas from Mexico.