Texas Lawmakers Advance Border Bill Allowing State Police to Arrest Illegal Immigrants

Late last week, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would give the state authority to allow state troopers to arrest illegal immigrants who enter the United States illegally. 
 

The legislation, Senate Bill 11, is known as the “Border Bill.” If signed into law, the bill could cause first-time offenders to be convicted of a misdemeanor. But, those who have a criminal record and have repeatedly entered the country illegally could be convicted of a felony, according to The Texas Tribune. 

Reportedly, the Senate passed the bill with a 19-12 vote. 

“Texas is serious about filling the gap caused by Biden’s refusal to enforce the immigration laws,” Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott said of the legislation on X, formerly known as Twitter.