In the fourth special session at the Texas Capitol, a concerted effort by lawmakers in both the House and Senate is underway to swiftly pass key border security bills, HB 4 and SB 4, aimed at addressing illegal border crossings into Texas.
The legislative process for these bills has been rapid and synchronized. On Thursday afternoon, committees in both chambers approved the bills, which would criminalize illegal border crossings into Texas. The Senate passed the measure on Thursday night, and the full House is anticipated to follow suit within a week. This unified approach comes after Governor Greg Abbott placed the issue on the agenda following discrepancies in the legislation passed during the third special session.
Representative David Spiller, author of the House bill, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement beneficial to both chambers and receiving the governor’s approval swiftly. Spiller, along with the Senate bill’s author, Charles Perry, made updates to the legislation addressing concerns raised by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
The revised bills mandate that migrants crossing illegally into Texas will be fingerprinted, photographed, and undergo background checks against the terror watch list. Spiller emphasized the importance of this measure, saying, “We don’t want a terrorist to get away… we have strengthened that.”
Under these bills, illegal border crossing is classified as a class B misdemeanor. Detained individuals will be presented before a state or county judge, provided legal representation, and, under certain conditions, will have the option to voluntarily return to their country or face prosecution and subsequent deportation after serving their sentence.
During the House hearing, the measure faced criticism from opponents, including Rev. Erin Walter, who expressed concerns about increased policing, incarceration, and discrimination. Spiller, however, remains confident about the constitutionality of the bill, stating, “I believe that what we’ve done here under House Bill 4 is completely constitutional. It is not in conflict with federal law.”
In addition to HB 4 and SB 4, the House and Senate have filed identical bills (House Bill 3/Senate Bill 3) to further bolster border security. These bills propose an additional allocation of $1.5 billion to expand the state’s border wall. The Senate has already passed this measure, and the House Appropriations Committee is set to consider it on Friday morning.
The swift passage of these border security bills signals a significant shift in Texas’ approach to managing its border. The emphasis on criminalizing illegal border crossings and enhancing security measures reflects the state’s commitment to addressing border-related issues. However, these measures also raise questions about their alignment with federal immigration laws and potential challenges from opponents.
As the House and Senate move forward with these bills, the impact on border security and immigration policy in Texas and beyond will be closely monitored. The outcome of these legislative efforts will not only shape Texas’ border policy but also influence the broader discourse on immigration in the United States.
