Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday that he plans to sign a new state law that will authorize every police officer in the Lone Star State to arrest immigrants who illegally entered Texas from another country. The move is seen as the latest effort by the governor to combat the surge of illegal immigration under President Joe Biden's administration.
During an interview with Fox News, Abbott said that Texas is having to take drastic measures in order to prevent illegal entry into the state. He referred to the influx of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration as a "serious existential threat" to the country and blamed Biden's policies for it.
The new law, which was passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature last month, is known as SB4. It would allow local police to handle immigration enforcement by making it a state misdemeanor to cross the Texas-Mexico border illegally. The legislation would also allow a judge to order the deportation of immigrants back to Mexico.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott SNAPS on Biden, goes ROGUE:
"I'll be signing a law in Texas that will make it illegal for people to enter the state of Texas from another country illegally, and authorizing every peace officer to arrest those people entering our country illegally." pic.twitter.com/oG4bVrUjbe
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 4, 2023
Abbott's announcement comes as Texas has been struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of migrants crossing the border in recent months. According to border sources, authorities have encountered nearly half a million migrants and have apprehended over 60,000 individuals trying to enter the U.S. illegally.
The governor's decision to sign the law has drawn criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates who argue that it will only drive fear into immigrant communities and lead to racial profiling. They also point to the fact that many of these migrants are fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries and seeking asylum in the U.S.
Despite the pushback, Abbott's administration has been adamant in its stance on immigration. Last year, the governor reversed course by sending tens of thousands of migrants to so-called sanctuary cities run by Democrat officials. Last week, his administration bussed thousands of migrants to cities around the nation, including more than 12,500 to Washington D.C., 25,000 to New York City, and 7,400 to Denver.
In addition to these efforts, Texas also deployed deterrence buoys in the Rio Grande River earlier this year to reduce the number of illegal immigrants crossing the border. However, the state found itself in a legal battle with the Biden administration, which argued that it had unlawfully placed the barriers in US water.
A group of mostly military-age Chinese nationals entering our Country illegally through the southern border in California. This is a planned invasion. pic.twitter.com/ntUmo7yBEw
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 4, 2023
The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Biden administration, ordering the state to remove the barriers. Governor Abbott has promised to take the issue up to the Supreme Court if it fails in its next challenge in the lower court.
In conclusion, Texas' latest move to combat illegal immigration has created a legal and political showdown between the state and the Biden administration. While Governor Abbott argues that it is necessary to protect the country, critics believe that it will only lead to more fear and discrimination towards immigrants. As the battle continues, the fate of thousands of migrants seeking a better life in the U.S. hangs in the balance.