The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) released a new report stating that the state’s law enforcement agencies are experiencing ongoing challenges in addressing crimes committed by illegal aliens who crossed the border with Mexico.

According to a September 23 press release attributed to the Austin-based conservative think tank, local officers encounter undocumented individuals during routine interactions despite current border security measures being in place. These officers are reportedly having difficulty tracking and holding them accountable.

Selene Rodriguez, director of the Secure & Sovereign Texas campaign at the TPPF, said in the release that the state’s leaders have been seeking more innovative ways to secure the state since the anti-sanctuary city law was passed in 2017.

The release also indicated that the report suggests law enforcement should have the authority to determine the status of anyone they stop, detain, or arrest if reasonable suspicion exists that that person is unlawfully present in the state; inquire about immigration status after making an arrest; and report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the immigration status and identifiers for all persons arrested or detained when those individuals are unlawfully present in the state.

The report can be accessed by visiting https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-SST-Texas-Law-Enforcement-Toolbox-Hughes.pdf