The Texas House of Representatives voted in favor of one of the most strict and controversial immigration laws in the country on Tuesday evening. The passage of Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) will have significant implications for migrants in Texas and may lead to legal battles and international disputes with Mexico. The bill now awaits Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature to become law.
Before the vote, state Rep. Jolanda Jones, a Democrat, vehemently opposed the bill, criticizing its supporters as “racist.” She challenged them, saying, “It’s not all right to be racist. I will stop pulling the race card when you stop being racist.”
SB 4 was part of a special legislative session called by Gov. Abbott and is designed to combat illegal immigration in the state. The bill introduces new state crimes for migrants who enter or re-enter Texas illegally from another country, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison.
One of the most contentious elements of the bill would enable local and state law enforcement to arrest migrants they believe have unlawfully entered Texas. The bill also allows judges to order some migrants to return to the country they illegally crossed from rather than face prosecution. Officers and state agencies would have the authority to transport the migrants to ports of entry to ensure compliance. Failure to comply could result in migrants being charged with a second degree felony, carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Immigrant rights advocates fear that SB 4 will lead to widespread racial profiling and erode protections for asylum seekers under U.S. and international law. They are particularly concerned that parents may be separated from their children if they are arrested under the new state crimes.
Furthermore, opponents of the bill worry that it may prompt legal challenges and an international dispute with Mexico, potentially leading to migrants being sent across the southern border, regardless of their legal status there.
Aron Thorn, a senior staff attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project, expressed concerns that the new crimes created by SB 4 will lead to law enforcement officials using race as probable cause for apprehending people.
There are also concerns that the bill may conflict with federal law and set a “terrible precedent” by challenging the U.S. Constitution. However, the bill’s author, State Sen. Charles Perry, defended its legality, emphasizing the state’s right to protect its citizens.
Overall, the passage of SB 4 in Texas has raised significant concerns and is expected to have far-reaching implications for migrants and law enforcement in the state. The bill has reignited the debate over immigration and has sparked strong opposition from both Democrats and Republicans in Texas.
