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| EFE |
"A new Texas law that raises the minimum sentence from two to ten years in prison for suspects found guilty of state charges related to migrant trafficking went into effect this Tuesday.
The measure was signed by Texas Governor, Republican Greg Abbott, last December as part of a package of laws driven to secure the border.
Abbott has repeatedly stated that Texas needs to defend itself against cartels trafficking migrants and drugs, as President Joe Biden's government has a 'policy of open borders.'
"Biden's deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself," said the governor at the time of signing the law package.
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Migrant advocates have protested against the law, which takes effect today, arguing that increasing sentences does not address the root problem.
David Stout, commissioner of El Paso County, said at a press conference, cited by ABC13, that Abbott's border policy is based on "a big lie that we have open borders" to justify spending billions in recent years.
In March 2021, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star, with which he has invested over 10 billion dollars in border security.
On March 5, the SB4 law will take effect, considered one of the strictest in American history, granting Texas police the authority to detain and deport migrants.
SB4 makes it a misdemeanor for a foreigner to "enter or attempt to enter the state from a foreign nation" irregularly. The offense becomes a felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison if the offender is a repeat offender.
The law also allows state courts to order the expulsion of migrants, a power exclusive to the federal government.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and the U.S. Department of Justice have separately launched legal battles to prevent the measure from taking effect next month."
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