Texas Scorecard by Sydnie Henry October 11, 2023
Measures to increase penalties for human smuggling and penalize illegal border crossers are set to return to the Senate floor for a vote.As the Texas Senate moves swiftly to pass Gov. Greg Abbott’s priorities for the third special legislative session, the Border Security Committee passed two measures out of committee for consideration by the full chamber.
Senate Bill 4 by State Sen. Pete Flores (R–Pleasanton) will increase penalties for human smuggling and operating a stash house.
“The intent of this legislation is to go after those who are profiting off and endangering the lives of innocent people,” explained Flores.
SB 4 will increase the penalty for human smuggling to a third degree felony with a 10 year minimum sentence or a five year minimum sentence for those who cooperate with law enforcement. Operating a stash house will carry a five year minimum sentence, and if the stash house is used for smuggling, trafficking, or prostitution, it escalates to a second or third degree felony with the minimum sentence rising to 10 years.
Additionally, it enhances penalties for offenses committed while smuggling, such as assault, burglary, and evading arrest, to third degree felonies.
Lauren Johnson of the ACLU of Texas testified before the committee that “mandatory minimums are very ineffective at deterring crime. They create more problems than they solve.” She recommended amending the measure to allow judges judicial discretion where they can choose not to seek the mandatory minimum sentence.
Chief Deputy Jimmy Fullen of the Galveston County Constables Office has been assisting Kinney County as part of the Border Security Response Team under Operation Lone Star. He testified, “SB 4 is a much needed deterrent to help start reining in the human smuggling that is occurring.”
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-senate-border-security-committee-passes-new-measures/
