Texas Scorecard by McKael Kirwin June 12, 2025
Legislation to mandate E-Verify failed to pass the House.Border security was one of the Republican Party of Texas’ legislative priorities this session, and lawmakers took some steps to address the issue. However, additional measures that would have disincentivized illegal immigration failed to pass.
Republicans successfully passed two key pieces of border security legislation during the 89th session.
State Sen. Charles Schwertner’s (R–Georgetown) Senate Bill 8 requires sheriffs in every Texas county that operates a jail (or contracts with a private vendor to operate one) to formally request and, if accepted, enter into a written agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
These agreements authorize local law enforcement officers, employees, and contractors to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions, such as questioning individuals about their immigration status and serving administrative warrants in jails.
Moreover, SB 8 also establishes a state grant program to fund these efforts.
Senate Bill 36 by State Sen. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound), meanwhile, creates a new Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety. This division implements new training exercises, provides additional support to existing law enforcement, and protects key infrastructure.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-republicans-secure-border-enforcement-face-setbacks-on-broader-immigration-legislation/
