Amidst SB 4 Border Chaos, Rep. Sessions Believes it is 'Well Within the Law'

Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) appeared on Fox News to defend Texas’ enforcement of SB 4, a controversial bill that would make illegal border crossings a Class B misdemeanor.

The Texas congressman believes the federal government has “abdicated their role and responsibility” in an attempt to secure the border. Therefore, states like Texas should be able to step in.

“Well, we believe that the national – or federal government – the national people who have that authority and responsibility have abdicated their role and responsibility,” said Rep. Sessions. “We believe it’s a national security issue and we really believe that Texas should have the ability with people who are on our soil, for us to be able to carefully, with a Class B misdemeanor, to arrest people, know who they are, and then understand what they are trying to accomplish.”

“We believe it is wrong for people to come into our country illegally,” declared Rep. Sessions.

Furthermore, Sessions commented on the lack of efficiency regarding the federal government’s ability to screen and prevent dangerous people from entering the country through the southern border.

“Well, it’s undisputed that this federal government does not act with responsibility of taking care of – whether it be children or whether it be adults, whether it be people who are terrorists, they have not chosen to take the proper and necessary background and elements into place to where we understand who they’re letting loose on the streets of Texas,” said Sessions.

He also mentioned, “We believe that there is a way for the law to be followed. And if the federal government abdicates that responsibility, then we believe someone in law enforcement – as we have had for years – where you have different levels of law enforcement who make decisions about this.

“We are not moving someone back across, we are simply giving them what would be a Class B misdemeanor, and then we will know who they are and what they’re doing. We believe this is vitally important for the security and safety of not only our citizens, but we believe it’s well within the law. If there were some viewpoint that we are going to deport people, then that would be a different issue.”

Congressman Sessions represents Texas’ 17^th District.