Welcome to your weekly Texans for Strong Borders Newsletter. Here is everything you need to know about the fight to end illegal immigration into Texas:
HB 7, the Revised Border Protection Unit Act, Watered Down in Senate Border Security Committee
As we explained in last week’s newsletter, HB 20, the Border Unit Protection Act, was recently killed by way of a point of order brought forth by a Democrat and sustained by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
Shortly after, HB 7, a border infrastructure bill, was used to revive important parts of HB 20 through the amendment process. This kept important provisions of the bill alive as it headed to the Texas Senate. Unfortunately, by the time HB 7 left committee, it was weaker than its original counterpart and weaker than the status quo, Operation Lone Star. Following the passage of HB 7 by the House, TFSB called on legislators in the Senate Border Security Committee to make changes to the bill that would make it stronger.
These changes included the following:
- Enact a legislative finding that there is an ongoing invasion at the Texas border, citing Section I, Article 10, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution
- Giving the Border Protection Unit (BPU) explicit statutory authority to repel and remove illegal aliens under that finding
- Remove the approval of operations from the behest of Commissioners Courts located in counties along the Texas-Mexico border
- Allow for a wider range of individuals with a law enforcement background to join the BPU
The committee responded by acknowledging only the latter two items. Additionally, they removed language (that was already limited) granting the BPU some authority to repel and remove those trying to enter Texas illegally, and put the BPU under the authority of the Texas Rangers.
Note: As of 2020, the Texas Rangers employed 166 commissioned officers.
This information leaves us wondering how such a small division of law enforcement will secure a border with over five million illegal crossings since Joe Biden took office? And how will those efforts succeed without the explicit authority to repel and remove the invaders unlawfully entering our country and state?
Texans for Strong Borders is working with other grassroots organizations to call on the Texas Senate to make this right, to restore strong legislation to the bill, and to empower the Border Protection Unit with the authority and resources necessary to actually secure the Texas Border.
Mandatory E-Verify and Finishing the Wall Stall in the Texas Senate
SB 1481, finishing the Texas border wall, and SB 1621, mandating E-Verify for all businesses, have both stalled on the Senate intent calendar this week as they wait for a vote.
It’s simple: last June, thousands of Texas Republicans gathered to determine their priorities and Border Security was designated as number two. This call for Border Security includes finishing the Texas border wall and cutting off the magnets driving illegal immigration into our state.
When it comes to attracting illegal aliens to our state and country, jobs are the biggest magnet of all.
While both of these bills have been heard and passed out of committee, they have NOT seen a vote on the Senate floor. Aside from declaring an invasion and using such a declaration to repel and remove illegal aliens from the state of Texas, these are the two strongest provisions that Texas can use to stop illegal immigration into the state of Texas.
These bills can stand up in the face of the federal government’s inaction to secure the border and let Texas do so as a state but our leaders are dragging their feet…
Texas House Passes SB 252, Allowing Non-Citizens to Become Peace Officers
A few weeks ago, we mentioned that the Texas House had unanimously passed a bill allowing non-citizen veterans to become peace officers in the state of Texas. SB 252, which accomplishes the same purpose, was passed out of the Senate and was then passed by the House today. This is part of a larger movement happening nationwide to allow non-citizens to become peace officers. Indeed, HB 1076, which allows ALL legal permanent residents to become peace officers, sits in the Texas House calendars committee.
We will say it again: this is a sovereignty issue. Non-citizens cannot vote, cannot serve on juries, and, under current Texas law, cannot become peace officers. To allow a non-citizen to exercise policing powers over citizens is a disservice to Americans and sets a bad precedent for the future of law enforcement practices in our state.
Republican Study Committee Makes Push to Include H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, a Part of Debt Limit Negotiations
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) led by Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) has taken possibly the most effective approach to achieving Border Security this congressional session by tying debt negotiations to Border Security.
While HR 2 may have passed the House last week, it may not see a vote in the Senate due to the chamber’s partisan balance. However, if it is included in any sort of debt ceiling legislation as it’s passed out of the House, then the Senate will be forced to vote on it.
This is a win for Texans and Americans.
You can read the RSC’s full letter to President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy here:
Listen:
— RSC (@RepublicanStudy) May 18, 2023
1. We are barreling toward a debt limit crisis. Our deadline is June 1, says Yellen.
2. Our border is already in crisis. After Title 42 ended on May 11, we saw a WAVE of immigration.
These two crises are linked, and should be considered together during negotiations. pic.twitter.com/LVxwTrOJi9
This has been your weekly Texans For Strong Borders Newsletter. Thank you for reading, patriot.