In a recent MSNBC interview, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, expressed her concerns about Texas Governor Abbott’s policy proposal, which she argued is essentially a plan to “kill people that are trying to come in.” Governor Abbott signed a new law on Monday that grants police the authority to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally. At the signing ceremony, Abbott stated that the goal of Senate Bill 4 is to halt the wave of illegal entries into Texas. Under this law, migrants taken into custody can either comply with a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or face misdemeanor charges for illegal entry. Failure to comply could result in arrest under more serious felony charges.
This move by the Republican governor marks a significant step in immigration enforcement. Abbott has consistently criticized the Biden administration for its perceived inaction in addressing the border crisis. Texas has transported over 65,000 migrants to cities across America and installed razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande. However, it is expected that this law will face legal challenges due to immigration enforcement being a federal responsibility.
Opponents of the law have deemed it the most drastic attempt by a state to police immigration since Arizona’s controversial “Show Me Your Papers” bill in 2010, which was largely invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. Thirty former U.S. immigration judges, who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, recently signed a letter condemning the Texas measure as unconstitutional. Mexico has also voiced its disapproval, as the law would require Mexico to accept deportations of non-Mexican citizens.
Asylum seekers continue to wait for processing by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States. The Mexican government has unequivocally rejected any measure that would enable local or state authorities to detain or deport Mexicans or nationals of other countries to Mexican soil.
Digital has reached out to the White House and Governor Abbott’s office for further comments on this matter. The fiscal year 2023 has witnessed record-breaking numbers, with over 2.4 million migrant encounters at the border. September set a record for encounters at the southern border, followed by October with over 240,000 encounters border-wide.
Efforts to secure additional funding for resources at the border have faced obstacles as Republicans insist on coupling it with asylum restrictions and the use of parole. Some Democrats have expressed reservations about these demands.
This article includes contributions from Adam Shaw and The Associated Press. Bradford Betz, a Digital breaking reporter, covers crime, political issues, and more. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
