Politics
Abbott Enforces Law and Order: Illegal Entry Into Texas Now a Criminal Offense
Clear Facts
- Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill making it a crime to illegally enter the state, empowering state officials to take further steps to secure the border.
- The law authorizes local police to handle immigration enforcement and allows Texas to deport those who cross into the state illegally, challenging the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy.
- Democrats have opposed the measure, arguing that it is unconstitutional for a state to enforce immigration law, while Republicans assert that the federal government has failed to secure the border.
In a decisive move to curb the ongoing illegal immigration crisis, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill on Monday that criminalizes illegal entry into the state. This law grants state officials more authority to secure the border.
This legislation comes in response to the millions of illegal immigrants who have been released into the U.S. under President Joe Biden’s administration. Many of these immigrants have made their way through the Texas-Mexico border. In response, Abbott has transported tens of thousands of illegal immigrants across the country and has been in a continuous battle with the Biden administration over erecting barriers to deter illegal crossings.
At a signing ceremony for three border security-related bills, Abbott said, “Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in decades. It was because of four policies put in place by the Trump Administration that led to such a low number of illegal crossings. President Biden has eliminated all of those policies and done nothing to halt illegal immigration. President Biden’s deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself.”
The new law, which was first presented to Abbott by Texas Republicans in November, authorizes local police to handle immigration enforcement. It makes illegal crossing of the Texas-Mexico border a state misdemeanor. Furthermore, the law allows Texas to deport those who cross into the state illegally, posing a direct challenge to the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy.
According to the governor’s office, the law will create “a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from a foreign nation. The law cracks down on repeated attempts to enter Texas by creating the offense of illegal reentry and penalizes offenders with up to 20 years in prison. It also provides the mechanism to order an offender to return to the foreign nation from which the person entered or attempted to enter this state. The law provides civil immunity and indemnification for local and state government officials, employees, and contractors for lawsuits resulting from the enforcement of these provisions.”
Democrats have opposed the measure, claiming that it is unconstitutional for a state to enforce immigration law. Republicans, on the other hand, have argued that the federal government has neglected its duty to secure the border.
In addition to this law, Abbott signed two other bills. One appropriates over $1 billion in funding for border security, including barriers, and the other increases penalties for human trafficking.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s bold move to criminalize illegal entry into Texas is a warranted response to the Biden administration’s failure to secure our border.
This law, which empowers local police to enforce immigration law, is a direct challenge to Biden’s detrimental catch-and-release policy.
Democrats cry ‘unconstitutional’, but what’s truly unconstitutional is the federal government’s negligence in securing our borders.
Abbott’s actions are a necessary step in reclaiming our nation’s sovereignty, upholding the rule of law, and protecting Texans from the effects of uncontrolled immigration.
It’s time for other states to follow suit and take the security of their citizens into their own hands.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
GomeznSA
December 24, 2023 at 6:46 pm
Illegal entry – whether it is simply trespassing on someone else’s property or unlawfully entering a (supposedly) sovereign state or country has always been a crime. The real question is when, and by whom, enforcement of that crime was taken away.
LMB
December 24, 2023 at 6:47 pm
If the Fed won’t stop this INVASION then we will in Texas!!!!!
janet
December 24, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Agree 100%
Carl Hail
December 24, 2023 at 6:56 pm
I think this is a much needed bill. Why wouldn’t it be to our country’s advantage to secure our S. border? It seems as if the democrats are opposing this bill & also want to destroy this country.
Janet
December 24, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Agree 100%
Denise
December 24, 2023 at 7:17 pm
I am so proud of the Governor, at least someone is doing something & he’s like a dog with a bone. He won’t quit!
John Melarkey
December 24, 2023 at 7:19 pm
It’s about time that Texas state officials have taken this issue into their own hands. This open border policy of Biden’s is not sustainable in any way regardless of where illegals cross into the United States. The citizens of this country can’t continue to pay taxes to simply be given to people who cross into this country simply because they want ‘the American Dream.’ This country can’t even take care of its own people, especially those who have served in the military. I truly hope that other border states will follow suit with similar legislation that sends a strong message to Congress that these states will force this issue to stop illegals. The United States is not the “Policeman” of the world. If other countries treat their citizens such that they are subject to serious physical violence, it’s not our problem. It’s one thing to be a humanitarian, it’s quite another to simply open the borders because citizens of other countries are subject to the whims of their government. Personally, I believe that ‘the American Dream’ has been sucked down the drain much as our tax dollars.
Colleen
December 24, 2023 at 7:32 pm
Agree with y’all. Future voters are what the democrats are pushing for, they will stop at nothing to lie, cheat and steal votes. Go get em’ Governor!
Carole Masson
December 24, 2023 at 9:50 pm
The Stste of Texas is protecting it’s Citizens and resources. This is common sense, too bad Democrats don’t have any sense😡
Anne Prantl
December 24, 2023 at 10:30 pm
I am extremely proud that the Governor has the brains to protect legal Americans…something gutless Biden doesn’t seem to care about! Thank God Governor Abbott is standing up to save our country for those who are true Americans.
Jim Maetin
December 25, 2023 at 8:26 am
Thank you GOV Abbott…Looks like you should be our President…I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU>>>!!!! Jim from Florida…
SconsinPatriot
December 25, 2023 at 10:11 am
Agree. No one else is making a move to do anything.
Hildegard Gonzalez
December 25, 2023 at 4:48 pm
I wish we had a Governor like inhe is great & loves our Country, I agree with him 100 Texas to deport all those Illegals, it is a Drain on our Economy
F Schleicher
December 26, 2023 at 1:13 am
Way to go, it is about time someone took real measure to protect our state and Country. Biden has failed in his primary duty ” to protect the Nation and its people.
Gunny Gil
February 7, 2024 at 5:07 pm
I would add cars and occupants with Ca, NY, Ma, Il, De, Or, Wa, and Mi plates