Today Governor Greg Abbott signed into law SB 3 and SB 4, which help rein in the border crisis created by the federal government’s unwillingness to properly enforce the law. The 88th Texas Legislature passed SB 3 and SB 4 during the fourth called session.
“The state of Texas’ continued efforts to fight human trafficking and secure the southern border deserve our thanks,” said TPPF CEO Greg Sindelar.
“Texas has stood firm in the face of both the U.S. and Mexican governments’ recalcitrance to act to stop the border crisis and protect their citizens. The Texas Legislature’s and the Governor’s efforts—all within their authority—have effectively driven Texas to act as a shield for the rest of the country against the criminal activities of the Mexican cartels. We commend these efforts.”
Senate Bill 3 provides additional funding for the construction and maintenance of border barrier infrastructure. Texas is the only state to build its own border wall. The bill also provides additional funding for public safety in the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County.
Senate Bill 4 creates new state offenses for entering or re-entering the state illegally from a foreign country and for refusing to comply with an order to return to the foreign countryan illegal alien comes from. SB 4 allows judges to order an illegal alien to return to the country from which they entered illegally, in lieu of prosecution, or mandates that an order be included in the judgement that the illegal alien return to the foreign country they illegally entered from after completing the term of their imprisonment.