The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Secure and Sovereign Texas campaign revealed its border security and immigration policy focuses for the upcoming 2025 89th Texas Legislative Session. Selene Rodriguez, the SST Campaign Director, emphasized the urgency of the situation by stating, "Texas is ground zero for the immigration and border security crisis caused by President Biden’s refusal to enforce the law."
Rodriguez further asserted, "Texas has every right to protect its people and property, and it will be aggressive in asserting its constitutional authority to combat the cartel-driven human and drug-trafficking. As long as the federal government refuses to act, Texas will step up to defend itself."
The outlined priorities for the legislative session include the creation of a Border Force to address the escalating border crisis and protect Texas communities. Additionally, the campaign stresses the importance of supporting the Texas Military Department to effectively respond to threats from the southwest border and natural disasters.
Another key priority is the requirement for law enforcement to determine and communicate immigration status of individuals they encounter, aiming to assist federal efforts in addressing illegal immigration. The implementation of E-Verify across Texas is also proposed to ensure eligibility verification of workers in the state.
The campaign suggests the creation of a Texas Engel List to combat foreign corruption, particularly focusing on countries like Mexico. The establishment of this list at the state level is aimed at sending a strong message that Texas will not tolerate corruption within its borders.
Lastly, the proposal includes allocating resources to local courts for migrant processing, anticipating a surge in cases due to recent legislative changes. This step aims to ensure the swift prosecution of individuals entering the state illegally.
Through these policy priorities, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Secure and Sovereign Texas campaign aims to address the pressing challenges faced by the state in the realm of border security and immigration in the upcoming legislative session.
