Texans for Strong Borders President Chris Russo Testifies in Favor of SB 8
On March 17, 2025, Texans for Strong Borders President Chris Russo testified in favor of SB 8 before the Senate Committee on State Affairs, chaired by Sen. Bryan Hughes.
Russo described SB 8 as a solid bill, stating that the 287(g) program is essential to strengthening interior immigration enforcement.
The bill requires sheriffs in counties with populations exceeding 100,000 to enter into an agreement with ICE under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, authorizing officers and employees of the sheriff’s department to enforce federal immigration law.
Over the past four years, over 10 million illegal aliens have entered the U.S. Local officials in some large metro areas of Texas are ignoring immigration laws, publicly refusing to cooperate with Trump’s effort to deport illegals, even those who are already in our jails.
SB 8 ensures that there will be consequences for local officials who undermine immigration enforcement.
Russo emphasized that the bill could be strengthened by broadening the mandate for 287(g) participation, regardless of county population. Many border counties with populations of less than 100,000, such as Val Verde, Maverick, and Star, are not participating even though they are suffering the consequences of mass immigration.
The bill offers a grant program that offsets training costs for counties with populations of less than 1 million that wish to participate. 287(g) Warrant Service Officer and Task Force models are also an option for smaller counties. Texans for Strong Borders supports both of these measures.
Russo closed by telling the committee that full participation in this program is essential for achieving the level of enforcement that Texans expect, and we should be using every tool available to enforce immigration laws and remove criminal aliens from our communities.
President Trump Calls for Impeachment of Judge Blocking Deportation of Violent Illegal Aliens
Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) filed articles of impeachment for a federal Judge in Washington D.C. after he tried to stop the deportation of illegal aliens, most of which had gang affiliations.
Judge James Boasberg claimed these illegal aliens had not completed proper court processing. President Trump argued that he had the right as President to deport criminals here illegally under the Alien Enemies Act.
President Trump argued he had enough evidence for deportation and that the aliens posed a national security risk. However, there were ongoing legal cases for several of these aliens claiming that the allegations of their involvement in criminal behavior were false.
Judge Boasberg ruled that no additional planes with illegal aliens should leave and even ordered two planes that were already airborne to return to U.S. soil.
President Trump responded by calling for the impeachment of Judge Boasberg. He referred to him as a “Radical, Left, Lunatic of a Judge,” and called for his impeachment because many of the aliens that were being deported were “Vicious, Violent, and Demented Criminals.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts responded to Trump’s call for impeachment by saying this option was not an appropriate response to a disagreement over a judicial decision and that the appellate review process exists for that purpose.
Congressman Brandon Gill has already filed articles of impeachment against Boasberg that will go to the House Judiciary Committee for review where the allegations against the judge will be investigated.