AUSTIN, Texas — A sweeping border security bill that critics say would empower Texas law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws passed the state Senate on Wednesday.
The bill would create a new state crime of “improper entry from foreign nation” and establish a new border enforcement unit that would be permanently deployed along the Texas-Mexico border.
The measure received approval from the Senate along party lines in a 19-11 vote. The bill now heads back to the House where the lower chamber will need to accept the changes before it can head to the governor.
