“Hundreds on the terrorist watchlist have been caught on the southern border. Texas is stepping up to fill the breach created by Biden.”

 
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the Texas Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 11, State Authority to Enforce the Border, by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury:

“Texas must take matters into our own hands because the crisis on our southern border, perpetuated by the Biden Administration, continues to rage. The Texas Senate has appropriated billions of Texas taxpayer dollars to step into the breach created by Biden, Harris, and Mayorkas. Creating a state crime for illegal border crossings will give our troopers more authority to control the border and keep Texans safe.

“This is the 3rd time the Texas Senate has passed this critical legislation. The Senate is committed to securing the southern border and will pass this bill over and over again until it passes the Texas House, where it has died previously.”

SB 11, by Sen. Brian Birdwell, creates a new state crime for entering Texas illegally. SB 11 authorizes Texas law enforcement to arrest and prosecute all people who cross the border illegally anywhere in Texas. Punishment starts with up to 1 year in jail for a first-time offender, two years in state jail for a second-time offender and up to life in prison for convicted felons who illegally cross the border.