Texas Set to Make Illegal Border Crossings a State Crime

Senate Bill 4 Faces Opposition Over Potential Racial Profiling and Conflict with Federal Jurisdiction

Texas lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 4, which would make illegal border crossings a state crime, with Governor Greg Abbott expected to sign it into law.
The bill would allow Texas police to arrest people for illegally crossing the border from Mexico, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies based on compliance and additional crimes.
Opponents of the bill argue it could lead to racial profiling and that it goes against the Supreme Court ruling in Arizona v. U.S., which established that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
Under SB 4, if Texas police arrest a migrant before they surrender to Border Patrol, it could affect any future asylum claim.
The Mexican government has rejected the bill, stating that it violates the human rights of Mexican immigrants in Texas.