HB354 Relating to measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the border region of this state, including protection from ongoing criminal activity and public health threats and the establishment of the Border Protection Unit; creating a criminal offense; creating a civil penalty.

↑Expands immigration enforcement model confidence 90%

Creates a new state criminal offense for trespass while unlawfully entering Texas from Mexico at non-port locations, authorizes state officers to arrest and deter such unlawful border crossers, and allows return of apprehended aliens to Mexico, increasing state-level immigration enforcement.

a commissioned or noncommissioned officer of the unit may, to the extent consistent with the United States and Texas Constitutions, arrest, apprehend, or detain persons crossing the Texas-Mexico border unlawfully, and deter persons attempting to cross the border unlawfully

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

↑Expands immigration enforcement model confidence 85%

Establishes a Border Protection Unit within the Department of Public Safety with powers to interdict fentanyl and human smuggling, enhance inspections at ports of entry, and coordinate with other state and local entities on border security, expanding state immigration and border enforcement capacity

The unit shall develop and recommend to the governor and report to the legislature a strategic plan that establishes the framework for the budget and operations of the unit, including homeland security strategies and the assistance of other state and local entities.

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

↑Expands immigration enforcement model confidence 80%

Authorizes the Border Protection Unit to detain persons crossing the border unlawfully, return aliens to Mexico who were apprehended near the border, and use force to detain transnational cartel operatives, expanding state authority over migrant detention and transport.

return aliens to Mexico who: (A) have been observed actually crossing the Texas-Mexico border unlawfully; and (B) were apprehended, detained, or arrested in the vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border;

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

↑Expands immigration enforcement model confidence 75%

Requires construction and maintenance of physical barriers along the Texas-Mexico border and invokes Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution to repel unlawful entries and interdict drugs and smuggling, expanding state border security measures.

The unit shall oversee the construction and maintenance of walls, fences, and other physical barriers along the Texas-Mexico border in order to enhance the safety and security of citizens of this state.

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text