President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) in January titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which set forward a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy, including directing federal agencies to strengthen border security, increase deportations, and enforce stricter immigration policies. Now, a priority piece of legislation in the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature seeks to add state support to these efforts.
Senate Bill (SB) 8, coauthored by Sens. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston), proposes that sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000 are mandated to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration law. A House companion to the Senate bill has also been filed by Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro).
