AUSTIN — Texas law enforcement officers would start enforcing immigration laws under a bill advanced by a Senate panel Thursday.
The proposal, by GOP Rep. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City, and sponsored by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would create a new crime for a migrant who enters Texas illegally. It also establishes the “Texas Border Force” under the Texas Rangers and forbids local municipalities from limiting the authority or jurisdiction of the unit.
“Our hope is that the border protection force can help ease the burden on current resources and establish a program that can maintain operations in the border region,” Birdwell said.
