Houston, TX. April 25, 2025 — The Texas Senate has advanced several key measures to secure the Texas Border and bolster internal immigration enforcement, including:
- Passing SB 8 by Sen. Charles Schwertner, which would require county sheriff’s departments in counties over 100,000 in population to participate in the ICE 287(g) program to bolster federal immigration enforcement.
- Passing SB 825 by Sen. Mayes Middleton, which requires an annual statewide study of the economic, environmental, and financial impact of illegal immigration in Texas.
- Passing SB 17 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, which prevents the acquisition of real property in Texas by hostile foreign nations, aliens, and entities.
- Passing SB 324 by Sen. Kolkhorst, which would require Texas employers to participate in the E-Verify system to prevent new hiring of illegal aliens, out of the Business & Commerce Committee for consideration for the full Senate.
- Holding a committee hearing in the Education K-16 Committee on SB 1798 by Sens. Middleton and Schwertner, which would repeal in-state tuition for illegal aliens.
Texans for Strong Borders President, Chris Russo, issued the following statement:
“Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Texas Senate have demonstrated a serious commitment to the passage of landmark legislation to secure the Texas Border, eliminate taxpayer subsidies to illegal aliens, and bolster interior immigration enforcement.
They have already passed a substantial 287(g) requirement, an annual statewide study on illegal immigration that will empower future legislation to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigration, and a ban on hostile foreign entities acquiring real property in Texas. They are also swiftly advancing key legislation to require Texas employers to participate in the E-Verify system and eliminate in-state tuition subsidies for illegal aliens.
If the Texas Senate is able to pass all five of these landmark policies, it would represent a monumental achievement and an undeniable commitment by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Texas Senate to carry prioritize the Texas GOP legislative priorities and make good on voters’ desire for a secure border and government that puts Americans First. For this, we commend them. Very soon, the ball will be in the court of the Texas House to follow through and ensure these bills are ready for Gov. Greg Abbott to sign into law before Sine Die.”
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