The Texas Senate passed a bill requiring local law enforcement to aid in federal deportation efforts.
According to Senate Bill 8, counties with more than 100,000 people must join Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 287(g) program.
“This bill is addressing the atrocities committed by criminal aliens through open border policies under the prior administration,” said State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R). “We need to, as a state, be much better at identifying, detaining, prosecuting and deporting criminal aliens from Texas and the United States as quickly as possible.”
“I am prioritizing SB 8 because as Lt. Governor, keeping Texas safe is my number one priority. It is not a controversial issue. Instead of releasing illegal immigrants, many of whom are dangerous criminals and military-aged men, back onto our streets, our counties should enter 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement following the passage of the bill. “Thirty-six Texas counties already have a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Passage of SB 8 into law will bring Texas counties with the largest jail populations into a 287(g) agreement with ICE to prevent illegal immigrants, some of whom are dangerous criminals, from wreaking havoc on Texas communities. I thank Sen. Schwertner for this commonsense, critical legislation to keep our state safe.”
A companion bill was filed in the Texas House.
Meanwhile, Maryland lawmakers have introduced a bill that seeks to prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The bill, HB122, seeks to prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 287(g) program in the state of Maryland. Under the program, correctional officers may identify and hold non-U.S. citizens for up to two days if requested by ICE.
