(RepublicanReport.org) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has been working tirelessly to slash the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States on his watch. His most recent move includes support of an anti-immigration bill that, once signed, will allow police officers to arrest people who’ve crossed the border illegally. Abbott is ramping up his efforts after gaining ground through increased border barriers and bussing immigrant overflows to sanctuary cities.
The Texas governor sat down with Maria Bartiromo for the December 3 broadcast of Fox News’ “Saturday Morning Futures.” He slammed the Biden Administration for continuing to perpetuate the problem by refusing to take down the “welcome mat.” He noted that, as a result of the extensive razor-wire barriers Texas has erected all along its borders, the Lone Star State is no longer the largest entry point for illegal crossers. Abbott added that the actions have forced cartels to change their trafficking routes away from his borders, and as a result, parts of Tucson and San Diego are now the hottest spots for unlawful entry through Mexico.
Texas still must do more, according to Abbott, and that’s why he plans to sign TX SB4 2023 as soon as it hits his desk. The upcoming law will make illegal entry into the United States a Class A misdemeanor. A second offense will be punishable by up to six months of incarceration. Any subsequent offenses are to be tried as felonies. The legislation also proposes felony charges if a person enters the country in a truck used to transport wholesale prescription drugs or breaks into a railcar to cross the border. The text cites additional penalties for people who attempt to enter on agricultural land or protected freshwater locations as well as any areas near shelter and educational facilities.
Abbot’s practice of sending buses and airplanes packed with migrants to sanctuary cities, which has transported just short of 70,000 migrants from the border state to Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Denver, has been the subject of heated controversy. He has also been under fire over his deployment of floating barriers across the Rio Grande River. A court of appeals recently ordered their removal, but Abbott said, if necessary, he’s willing to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
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