Abbott signs bill subjecting illegal border crossings to state jurisdiction

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed several pieces of legislation to tighten security at the Texas-Mexico border.

The new laws make illegally crossing the border a state crime, one that is subject to imprisonment or deportation, according to the Texas Tribune. Given that immigration is typically seen as under federal jurisdiction, the law is sure to come under quick legal fire from the Biden administration.

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“Today in Brownsville, I signed three new laws to better protect Texans AND Americans from Biden’s open border policies,” Abbott said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Illegal entry into Texas is now a crime subject to removal or imprisonment. Texas will also fund new wall construction & increase human smuggling penalties.”

The law is slated to take effect in March and will allow Texas police to arrest people suspected of immigrating illegally. If found to be in the United States illegally, detainees will be given the choice of leaving the country or accepting a judge’s ruling on misdemeanor charges. Subsequent arrests carry the risk of more serious felony penalties.

Speaking at the border, Abbott estimated that the legislation would cause illegal immigration to fall by “well over 50%, maybe 75%,” the Associated Press reported.

“The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas,” he added.

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Shortly after the signing of the bill, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas announced its intention to challenge the law in court, and over 20 congressional Democrats signed a letter urging the Department of Justice to step in to halt the law.

“SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs,” the letter read.