The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill that establishes a state law enforcement agency, the Border Protection Unit, dedicated to enforcing immigration laws. The agency’s chief would be appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, and its officers would have the authority to arrest, apprehend, detain, and repel individuals who illegally cross into the United States. They would also be authorized to return migrants to Mexico and conduct enhanced security checks on cargo vehicles for drug and human smuggling. The bill faced opposition from Democrats who criticized the proposed agency as promoting harassment of minorities and argued that immigration enforcement is primarily the responsibility of the federal government. Despite initial setbacks, the bill’s language was added as an amendment to another bill, and it subsequently passed the House. The proposed legislation is likely to face legal challenges, as critics question its compatibility with federal law and its potential to undermine established immigration laws. You can read more at the Kera News here.
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News, K. (2023, May 10). Bill that would launch a state law enforcement agency for immigration passes the Texas house. KERA News. https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2023-05-10/bill-that-would-launch-a-state-law-enforcement-agency-for-immigration-advances-in-the-texas-house