Texas Governor Abbott Signs Bill Criminalizing Illegal Border Entry

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed a bill into law on Monday that makes entering the state illegally a state crime. The law, known as SB 4, gives local law enforcement the authority to arrest migrants and allows judges to issue orders for their removal to Mexico. This controversial move has caused concern and fear within the Latino community in Texas, which makes up 40% of the state's population. Civil rights organizations and immigration advocacy groups have strongly condemned the law after it was passed by the Texas legislature last month.

The Union Pacific International Railroad Bridge is seen behind concertina wire, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

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The law is set to be in effect by March. The continuous increase in migration at the US-Mexico border has created significant strain on local and federal resources. Abbott and the Biden administration have clashed over the state's efforts to reduce illegal immigration along the southern border. US Customs and Border Protection announced that it will temporarily halt operations at international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, due to a surge in migrant border crossings. In November, border authorities apprehended approximately 192,000 migrants between ports of entry, a 2% increase from the 188,000 migrant apprehensions in October, according to US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens.

House Democrats argue that the bill exceeds the authority of the federal government and resembles Arizona's controversial "show me your papers" law regarding immigration status. This law was largely struck down by the US Supreme Court in 2012, which upheld the federal government's authority over immigration policy and laws. Meanwhile, the Republican sponsor of the Texas bill insists that the measure is in line with the constitution.

President Joe Biden made a statement from the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, urging Congress to pass his national security supplemental on December 06, 2023. After a virtual meeting with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden emphasized the importance of Congress taking action on the security budget supplemental request, which includes funding to support Israel, Ukraine, and additional security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Kevin F. Lawrence, executive director of the Texas Municipal Police Association, stated to CNN that SB 4 would provide local law enforcement with improved tools. The ACLU has warned of a potential lawsuit against Governor Abbott over the bill, which they have labeled as one of the most anti-immigrant measures passed by any state.

Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, expressed concern over Abbott signing the bill, stating that it threatens the safety and dignity of asylum seekers. "By criminalizing the act of seeking refuge, Texas is abandoning the values of compassion and due process that make our nation a global leader in humanitarianism," Vignarajah said in a statement on Monday.

Three leading county executives in Texas wrote a letter to President Joe Biden at the end of last month, asking him to halt the implementation of SB 4. They expressed concerns that the measure could compromise the safety of communities and voiced doubts about its constitutionality. The executives represent El Paso, Harris (home to Houston) and Travis (home to Austin) counties, which collectively account for nearly a quarter of the state's population.

This headline and story have been updated with additional developments.