In a bid to combat the ongoing illegal immigration crisis, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill on Monday that criminalizes illegal entry into the state of Texas. The new law grants state officials greater power to secure the border, as millions of illegal immigrants have been released into the U.S. under Joe Biden’s administration, with many crossing through the Texas-Mexico border.

Abbott, in a signing ceremony for three border security related bills, highlighted the impact of the Trump Administration’s policies, which led to a significant decrease in illegal border crossings. He stated, “Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in decades. It was because of four policies put in place by the Trump Administration that led to such a low number of illegal crossings. President Biden has eliminated all of those policies and done nothing to halt illegal immigration. President Biden’s deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself.”

The recently signed law authorizes local police to handle immigration enforcement by making it a state misdemeanor to illegally cross the Texas-Mexico border. This legislation serves as a direct challenge to the catch-and-release policy currently practiced by the Biden administration, as it enables Texas to deport those who enter the state back to Mexico. The law also cracks down on repeated attempts to enter Texas by creating the offense of illegal reentry, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Furthermore, the law provides civil immunity and indemnification for local and state government officials, employees, and contractors for any lawsuits resulting from the enforcement of these provisions. By granting these protections, the state aims to ensure that officials can carry out their duties without fear of legal repercussions.

Unsurprisingly, the new law has sparked a political divide, with Democrats claiming that it is unconstitutional for a state to enforce immigration law. On the other hand, Republicans argue that the federal government has failed to secure the border, leaving states like Texas to take matters into their own hands.

In addition to signing the bill criminalizing illegal entry, Governor Abbott also signed two other bills aimed at enhancing border security. One of these measures appropriates over $1 billion in funding for border security, including the construction of barriers. The other bill increases penalties for human trafficking, addressing a significant issue at the border.