This week, as thousands of Republican delegates gather in Houston for the 2026 Republican Party of Texas State Convention, Texans for Strong Borders is bringing the fight to the convention floor with a comprehensive Border Enforcement platform that puts Texans first.
Ending the Sanctuary City Charade: No local government in Texas should be able to thumb its nose at federal immigration law and get away with it. That’s why our platform demands full cooperation from every local jurisdiction with federal immigration authorities, including maximum participation in the 287(g) program that puts local law enforcement shoulder-to-shoulder with ICE on removals.
A Border Mission Built to Win: The current Texas Border Mission has cost taxpayers billions. It’s time we got real results for that investment. Texans for Strong Borders is demanding a complete overhaul, replacing the existing structure with a dedicated Border Protection Unit that cannot be nationalized by a hostile administration and ordered to abandon their duties.
Making E-Verify the Law of the Land: One of the most powerful tools we have to stop illegal immigration is cutting off the economic magnet that draws people here illegally in the first place. That means requiring E-Verify for every employer in Texas, with significant penalties for any employer who thinks the law doesn’t apply to them. It also means that state agencies and local governments cannot employ foreign visa workers or do business with companies that do. If Texas taxpayer dollars are involved, American workers should come first.
Closing the OPT Loophole: The Optional Practical Training program was designed as a temporary extension for foreign students to gain work experience after graduation. What it has become is a backdoor visa pipeline that allows hundreds of thousands of foreign workers to remain in the United States and compete directly with American graduates, for up to three years, all without going through proper visa channels. The Texas GOP must go on record opposing the OPT program and demanding its elimination. American students deserve a job market that puts them first, not a system rigged to undercut them with cheap foreign labor.
No Amnesty: Strong Borders stands in total opposition to any form of amnesty for individuals unlawfully present in the United States. Amnesty is not compassion, it is a reward for lawbreaking, and it is a magnet for the next wave of illegal immigration. We are calling on the Republican Party of Texas to adopt a firm, unequivocal anti-amnesty plank in its 2026 platform. No “pathway to legal status”. That is just amnesty dressed up in softer language.
Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Illegal Presence: It is an outrage that Texans are being forced to subsidize illegal immigration through their hard-earned tax dollars. Our platform calls for the termination of all non-emergency public benefits for individuals unlawfully present in the United States, including in-state college tuition and enrollment in public schools. The only medical care illegals should receive is emergency care. There is nothing justified about incentivizing illegal immigration on the backs of Texas taxpayers. We also call for stripping any other taxpayer-funded subsidies from companies that employ foreign visa workers.
Driver’s License English Requirements: Driving on Texas roads is a privilege, and that privilege requires clear communication with law enforcement, with other drivers, and with the systems designed to keep everyone safe. Texans for Strong Borders supports requiring that all Texas driver’s license examinations be administered in English only. This is about keeping our citizens safe on the roads they use daily.
Making the Cartels Pay: Every dollar wired out of Texas to a foreign country by someone here illegally is a dollar that could be funding enforcement of our own laws. Our platform proposes a tax on cash and app-based remittances sent abroad. It’s only right that those who have broken our laws help fund the effort to restore them.
The 2026 Republican Party of Texas State Convention is not just a political gathering, it is a declaration of who we are and what we stand for. We have fought hard in Austin session after session, pushing state lawmakers to take the steps necessary to secure our border and support the mission to restore order. We have seen real progress on 287(g), on E-Verify, and on stopping the bleeding of taxpayer dollars, but the job is not done.
This week in Houston, we are calling on every delegate to stand firm. Adding these policies to the party platform and Legislative Priorities sends a message to Austin and to Washington that Texans value border security and will support representatives who put American citizens first.