Texas Governor Greg Abbott Signs Bill That Allows Police To Arrest Migrants Who Entered US Illegally

Texas Governor Greg Abbott continued his crusade against illegal immigration by signing a new bill that gives police the power to arrest migrants who illegally cross the US-Mexico border. The bill also gives local judges the authority to order them to leave the country where they were caught.

Critics slammed the new law, calling it the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since Arizona passed a 2010 law that was infamously called the Show Me Your Papers" bill. It was eventually struck down by the US Supreme Court as the enforcement of immigration is a federal responsibility.

According to the Associated Press, much like its predecessor from Arizona, this new Texas law is likely to meet legal resistance before it even takes effect, which is expected to happen in March of next year.

This newly signed law would allow any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Those suspected illegal immigrants arrested then have two choices: they could either agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the country or they can be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry.

The law is not kind to repeat offenders either, as those who are arrested again could face more serious felony charges. The same goes for those who do not leave the country as they agreed.

Legal Challenges Await Texas Governor Greg Abbott's New Anti-Illegal Immigrant Law

Before it was even signed by Abbott, the bill faced plenty of criticism not just from Democrats but also from several advocacy groups and even the Mexican government. One of the advocacy groups that criticized the bill's passing included the American Civil Liberties Union, which has vowed to file a lawsuit to challenge the bill's legality.

CBS noted that the US Department of Justice could also file a legal challenge against this new law, which is officially called SB4. White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández was asked about it.

"Generally speaking, the federal government - not individual states - is charged with determining how and when to remove noncitizens for violating immigration laws," he stated.

Legal experts called SB4 a more sweeping law than the controversial "Show Me Your Papers" bill in Arizona. However, much like that failed bill, legal experts say it could not undermine federal immigration law.

Greg Abbott Loses Fight To Subsidize Private Schools in Texas

While a bill he signed faces legal battles and is expected to be hampered by lawsuits, another bill supported by Texas Governor Greg Abbott has failed in the Texas State Capitol as the Republican majority rejected a bill that included taxpayer subsidies for some students to attend private school.

Surprisingly, Republicans from rural districts joined together with Texas Democrats to block the Abbott-backed bill from being passed.

According to CBS News, that bill would have been part of a larger measure that would have also given more money to public schools and give teachers raises in their salaries. However, opponents argue that it helps too few students and will cost the state billions of dollars.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: DOJ pressed to intervene after SB 4 signed into law by Gov. Abbott - ABC 7 Chicago