Texas clamps down on illegal immigration

By James Blears

The SB4 category law, which was passed last month by both Legislatures in Texas, will come into effect this coming March.

Illegal border crossings are deemed a federal crime, but up to now, they've been dealt with relatively leniently, as civil cases.

That will soon radically change. In effect, Police will be able to stop, arrest and detain any suspect.

Transgressions of the law can be punished as a misdemeanor but there's now the potential for fines and a prison sentences, especially for repeat offenders, depending on their rap sheet. The sentence could be as long as twenty years.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot said the new law is intended to stop what he calls: "A tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas." Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick agrees saying: "This will keep Texas safe."  

The SB4 law is the toughest piece of immigration legislation to make it to the statute books thus far. But it`s State and not Federal Law.

It's already been criticised by the Mexican Government and Texas Democrats, and the former have said they will launch a legal challenge against it. 

Millions from Mexico and other countries are trying to reach the United States, dreaming that it's their promised land and an economic El Dorado.

They're trying to escape hard times, but, as things stand, they could be serving hard time.