Since the Biden administration rolled back the policies of the Trump era, the United States has seen a flood of illegal immigration, much of which passes through Texas. In the absence of any federal leadership, the Texas House took action over the past regular session, and subsequent special sessions, to protect our border and communities from the flood of illegal immigration.

Among the bills passed over the previous year include:

● SB 3 – 88(4) – appropriating $1.54 billion to the Office of the Governor for border security

operations and to continue building the wall.

● SB 4 – 88(4) – creates a criminal offense for illegal entry from a foreign nation, and allows Texas

to return individuals back to the foreign nation in which they came if they entered Texas.

● SB 423 – 88(R) – allows Texas military forces to use unmanned aircraft to monitor the border as

part of Operation Lone Star.

● SB 1133 – 88(R) – helping landowners and border communities recover from the devastating

impact of illegal immigration and border enforcement by creating a grant program to compensate

for their losses incurred from these criminal acts.

● SB 1900 – 88(R) – protecting Texas communities from dangerous activity by designating

Mexican cartels that participate in smuggling drugs and operating stash houses as “foreign

terrorist organizations,” which allows Texas to pursue higher penalties for these offenses.

The back and forth between the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court is detrimental to the timely implementation of the bill. The decisions made on this law by the Fifth Circuit or Supreme Court will either lead to a safer Texas, or a more dangerous one – it is up to the courts. Either way, the Texas Legislature will continue addressing the border until all problems have been solved.

“Over the past year, the Texas House has worked tirelessly with the Senate and Governor’s office to provide the state with everything it needs to do the Federal Government’s job. We have spent more money on the border than ever before, given the Governor’s office the power and tools they need to protect our communities, and empowered Law Enforcement officials to take swift action to protect our citizens,” VanDeaver said. “It is time for the Biden Administration to step up and do their jobs — Texas cannot wait any longer, and we will continue to find common sense solutions for our constituents as long as we must to protect our state, homes, and lives.

Press release from the Office of Texas House District 1 Representative Gary VanDeaver