Texas is about to make a big change in how it deals with illegal immigrants. Governor Greg Abbott is going to sign Senate Bill 4, which is very controversial. The number of people crossing the border illegally into Texas has more than tripled since 2020, and this bill is a harsh answer to that.
As part of a larger plan to change immigration policy, the bill gives state police the power to arrest people who cross the border illegally. Some people are worried that the bill could lead to racial profiling and constitutional issues because it covers private places like schools and church groups.
In fiscal year 2020, there were about 300,000 illegal crossings. By fiscal year 2022, that number had risen to over 1 million, which led to a strong reaction from the state. The bill is part of a plan that began in March 2021 with “Operation Lone Star,” which sent the Texas National Guard and the Department of Public Safety to the border.
Importantly, SB4 makes illegal entry a crime and increases the penalties for repeat offenders, especially those who have a past of certain misdemeanors or ties to terrorist activities. Some parts of the bill, which allow arrests in places that were previously protected, have caused debate and backlash. The head of Somos Tejas, Ramiro Luna, is worried about what the bill will mean for communities of color, saying that it “legalizes racial profiling.”
This Texas law change also looks at the complicated relationship between state and federal immigration laws. Some lawmakers, like State Senator Brian Birdwell, are asking how it fits with the Constitution. Some people, like Senator Charles Perry, say that the bill is important for state security.
The bill is at the center of a heated debate in Texas about immigration, state rights, and racial justice, which is typical of the national debate on these important topics. Texas is still waiting for Governor Abbott to sign the bill.
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