In a bold challenge to federal authority over immigration, the Texas House has passed a bill that creates a state-level crime for entering the country from Mexico between ports of entry, per the NY Times.

This legislation enables local law enforcement agencies to arrest and detain unauthorized Texas migrants or direct them back to Mexico.

The move is seen as a significant escalation of Governor Greg Abbott's multibillion-dollar border security program, known as Operation Lone Star.

The Texas House also approved an additional $1.5 billion for the construction of state-owned barriers along the international border.

The bill authorizing the arrest of unauthorized Texas migrants now returns to the Senate, which has already passed its version and is expected to reach Governor Abbott's desk for his signature.

Representative David Spiller, a Republican from west of Fort Worth, introduced the arrest bill, describing it as a "humane, logical, and efficient approach."

He argued that there was nothing unfair about returning individuals to their point of entry if they arrived in the state illegally.

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The Bill Sparks Debates Amont Lawmakers

The bills have generated heated debates within the state's political landscape, leading to extensive discussions lasting for hours, according to FOX News.

The contentious nature of the legislation was exemplified when State Rep. Cody Harris moved to block new amendments, effectively ending debate and resulting in the bill's passage with a vote of 84-60.

State Rep. Armando Lucio Walle of Houston expressed his frustration, emphasizing the emotional and personal impact of the bill on marginalized communities.

This legislation seeks to empower Texas law enforcement officers to directly address illegal immigration, despite previous federal court rulings that grant jurisdiction over border matters to the federal government.

The bill is now poised to move to the state Senate, where Republicans maintain a substantial majority and are anticipated to approve the legislation.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has released new border statistics for September, indicating a record number of monthly encounters and marking FY 23 as the year with the highest annual encounters on record.

The administration has also reiterated its opposition to border wall construction, citing an "acute and immediate" need to waive federal regulations to allow construction in South Texas.

Texas House Bill 4

Texas House Bill 4, sponsored by state Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, establishes a new state crime for illegally entering Texas from Mexico.

It grants state police the authority to apprehend violators and instructs officers to return Texas migrants to a port of entry, directing them to return to Mexico.

Under the bill, first-time offenders could face misdemeanor convictions with a maximum of 180 days in jail, the Texas Tribune noted.

For repeat offenders, the penalty could be elevated to a felony, carrying a punishment of up to two years in prison.

This legislative effort underscores the ongoing attempts by the Texas House to empower state law enforcement in immigration enforcement despite legal decisions upholding federal jurisdiction over immigration matters.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Tempers flare over Texas HB 4 allowing police to arrest undocumented immigrants, send them to Mexico - From KHOU 11