In a direct challenge to federal power over immigration, the Texas House on Thursday approved the creation of a state-level crime for entering the country from Mexico between ports of entry, allowing local police agencies to arrest and jail unauthorized migrants or order them back to Mexico.
The Texas House also approved an additional $1.5 billion for the state to use to construct its own barriers near the international boundary.
The arrest measure now returns to the Senate, which has already approved its own version, and then head to Mr. Abbott’s desk for his signature.
“It is a humane, logical and efficient approach,” Representative David Spiller, a Republican from west of Fort Worth, said in introducing his arrest bill before the vote.
“There is nothing unfair about ordering someone back from where they came if they arrived here illegally.”
Persons:
Greg Abbott, David Spiller, ”
Organizations:
Gov, Lone Star, Texas House, Senate, Republican
Locations:
Texas, Mexico, Fort Worth