Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has signed a new immigration law that would allow police to detain illegal immigrants. Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) is praising the signing of Senate Bill 4, affirming that “actions have consequences.”
Republicans and Democrats have been at odds on the border with the former highlighting the “border crisis”and accusing President Joe Biden (D) of ignoring the concern. In an effort to curb illegal immigration, Governor Abbott has now taken a decisive measure, which gives police officers the authority to stop, arrest, and jail illegal immigrants on new, state-level illegal entry charges.
The legislation was passed by Texas’ legislature earlier this year.
During a signing ceremony along the border in Brownsville, Governor Abbott commented that “the goal of Senate Bill 4 is to stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas.” In response to the signing of the bill, Rep. Crenshaw praised Governor Abbott’s effort, writing on social media that “if the Biden admin is going to ignore their responsibility of securing the border, it’s time to take matters into our own hands.”
“Governor Abbott just signed into law new measures that empowers police to arrest anyone who crosses the border illegally,” Rep. Crenshaw further explained, noting that the “law also grants judges the authority to order illegal immigrants to leave immediately, effectively placing deportation powers in the hands of the state of Texas.”
“You don’t get to be let loose into the country if you cross illegally,” Rep. Crenshaw concluded.
“Actions have consequences, and here they are.”
Senate Bill 4 has faced significant criticism from the Mexican government, advocacy groups, and Democratic lawmakers. The American Civil Liberties Union has assured that they will be filing a lawsuit challenging the legality of the bill.
The Biden administration has unfavorably responded to bill.
White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández commented that “this is an extreme law that will make communities in Texas less safe. Generally speaking, the federal government – not individual states – is charged with determining how and when to remove noncitizens for violating immigration laws.”
