(RightWing.org) – With the Biden administration still either unable or unwilling to control illegal immigration, Texas continues to take matters into its own hands. The state has a new law that criminalizes entering the US illegally. Border agents will now have the power to arrest illegal immigrants — and then deport them.
On December 18, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed Senate Bill 4 which will criminalize illegal entry into the US in Texas law. That means migrants caught by Texas police could be arrested, and then given a choice — a deportation order from a Texas court, or prosecution for the misdemeanor offense of illegal entry. If they accept the deportation order then don’t comply, they could face felony charges.
Abbott said the law is aimed at stopping the “tidal wave” of illegal immigration that’s hitting his state. It’s a major step up in Texas’s campaign against the migration problem. While Abbott’s previous initiatives have focused on making Democrat cities and states share the burden, now he’s trying to cut off the migrant flood at the border. However, the law is likely to face legal challenges.
The White House has already slammed the new law, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling it “extreme” and accusing the governor of demonizing and dehumanizing immigrants. Of course, opposition from Democrat politicians is to be expected, but legal challenges are a more serious threat.
Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, but SB4 gives Texas police and courts the power to deal with it themselves. Opponents are calling that unconstitutional, and a coalition of 30 former US immigration judges have already released an open letter making that point. Mexico is also objecting to the law, which allows Texas to deport all illegals back to their port of entry.
Bilateral agreements mean Mexico has to take back its own citizens if they’re deported from the US, but not third-party nationals. Liberals will fight hard to block the new law from being enforced, but if they won’t deal with the problem states are going to keep trying to do it themselves.
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