Immigration Policy Texas

Immigration and migration has always been a serious issue in America. Legal and illegal
immigrants have moved across the U.S. borders, and this has resulted in huge debates over the
impact of immigration. There is a general belief that migrants bring on board unfair competition
for jobs and other resources. The fear, as well as the risk of immigration, has resulted in policies
aimed at curbing the adverse effects of illegal immigration. In 2021, Texas Governor Greg
Abbott issued a proclamation stating that the increase in the number of individuals who are
crossing the Texas-Mexico border pose serious risks to the state. The governor, in his
proclamation, went further to state that with the surge in illegal migrants, a disaster was looming,
and the action of the migrants was a violation of territorial integrity. The proclamation, coupled
with the subsequent change in policy, has various implications for the governance system in
Texas and in America as a whole.
Texas is one of the four states that share a border with Mexico. Texas is thus heavily
invested in border security as well as the costs associated with illegal immigration. Texas has
unique needs and challenges as they relate to immigration. The state has been experiencing a
surge in the number of illegal immigrants since 1990 (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2018). In
the year 2011, it was estimated that foreign-born citizens accounted for 16.4 percent of the total
population. The surge in illegal immigrants is fueled by the fact that Texas shares a 1,254 mile-
long border with Mexico. In the year 2008, statistics drawn from the Department of Homeland
Security indicate that the state had 1.68 million illegal immigrants compared to 10.8 million
illegal immigrants nationwide (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2018). The state was also unique
since it did not experience a decline in illegal immigrants like other states in the U.S between the
year 2007 to the year 2011 (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2018).

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States in the United States incur high costs as a result of illegal immigration. While
illegal migrants are excluded from various federal programs, the children of illegal migrants are
entitled to free public education as well as emergency room care. In addition, children of illegal
migrants born in the United States become U.S. citizens, and the implication is that they are
entitled to all social welfare programs. Texas has been providing social services to illegal
migrants despite the fact that there exists no federal government requirement to do so. The state
has been giving in-state public college tuition to illegal migrants that graduate from public high
schools. The state also spends approximately 1.65 million dollars every year to provide
temporary aid for needy families (Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2018).
In 2021, the Governor of Texas lamented the effects of migration on the state. The
governor stated that the state had spent approximately 3.5 billion dollars in helping in border
security as well as enforcement of public safety (García, 2021). The governor went ahead and
stated that in 2021, the state deployed 1,000 troopers to guard the border . The state has also
committed law enforcers towards protecting the community neighboring the border. The
governor claimed that the federal government and the Biden administration has failed in
enforcing immigration laws and, by extension protecting the citizens of the United States
(García, 2021). According to him, the Biden administration has shown unwillingness and
inability to collaborate with the State of Texas in enforcing border security.
While the actions of the Texas State Governor may be perceived to be creating
discordance in the administration, it is important for the state to take certain actions to correct the
immigration situation. The immigration policy averts a humanitarian crisis that would be present
if illegal migrants are allowed entry into Texas. Unlawful crossings into the United States creates
a security risk (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2021). Undocumented migrants could

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be involved in various illegal activities such as drug trade and terrorism. The state is denied the
opportunity to vet the migrants before they can enter the country. In certain instances, it has been
reports of destruction of property as illegal migrants force their way into security installations on
the border. The government has a duty to protect life and property, and this means that ensuring
illegal migrants do not gain entry into the country is an important goal.
Illegal migrants into the United States create huge costs to the federal and state
government. States have to invest in programs aimed at catering for illegal migrants.
Undocumented migrants fail to effectively contribute to the economy of the United States, and
this creates a problem for both the state and federal governments. In the wake of the global
COVID-19 pandemic, it has become important for governments to combat the spread of the
virus. Several measures have been put in place, including partial lockdowns and the requirement
for people to observe certain containment measures (U.S. Government Accountability Office,
2021). Illegal immigration compounds the situation. Illegal migrants are not screened properly,
and this means that they could spread the virus. They are unlikely to observe the containment
measures put in place and are unlikely to have the protective gear that includes the use of face
masks. The immigration policy is thus important in ensuring that illegal immigration is
discouraged and, in so doing, limiting the spread of the coronavirus disease. The influx of
individuals into the United States threatens the existing state-licensed residential facilities.
Facilities such as children in foster care can be affected by illegal migrants. The state has to
ensure that it protects the citizens of the United States against any harm that may be caused by
problematic migration policy (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2021). A management
plan needs to be activated and, in so doing, empowering the Texas government to prevent
problems relating to healthcare.

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The recent immigration policy has had effects on the structure of the government of
Texas in many ways. First, the state government is hindering the implementation of federal
immigration policies. The governor is taking upon powers that do not belong to him in coming
up with directives that appear to be undermining the federal government. The directives made by
governor Abbott appear to be unlawful and dangerous. A supremacy clause in the U.S
constitution prevents the state government from coming up with laws that interfere with the
immigration laws enforced by the federal government (Burnett, 2021). State-level authorities
may aid in the implementation and enforcement of immigration laws already determined at the
federal level. The Texas government is overstepping in its mandate, leading to a constitutional
crisis between the state and federal governments.
The Texas government’s migration policy is likely to have economic consequences. For
instance, the governor ordered those unauthorized migrants to be arrested and jailed. The
highway patrol is also required to interdict commercial buses and any other vehicle suspected to
be helping in the transportation of unauthorized immigrants. While this may curb more migrants
from illegally entering Texas, it will also burden the government of Texas as they have to
provide beds and facilitation for detailed migrants. Abbott does not plan on releasing detained
migrants. He is opposed to President Biden’s way of dealing with migrants where they are
arrested and then released (Burnett, 2021). He plans on having them detained, which means they
will be fed and supported using taxpayers’ money. The government of Texas is thus likely to be
more financially burdened if it continues detaining unauthorized migrants. Besides, legal battles
have ensued as the federal government sued the state government for overstepping and taking on
roles constitutionally reserved for the federal government (Hansen, 2021).

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Overall, the current migration policies may be seen as necessary by governor Abbott and
his government. They will help curb the spread of Covid-19 and prevent unauthorized migrants
from entering Texas. The aim is to also control the population in the state, which is currently one
of the most populated in the country. The Texas government, however, lacks the immense
powers that the federal government enjoys. Implementing such policies on its own is likely, as is
being experienced, being quite a challenge to the state government. As the state continues to jail
migrants, some have changed tactics and may still cross the border without being detected.
Others cross through the federal property because they know they will be released later, even if
they get arrested. Thus, while the government of Texas wants to control migration into the
country through its borders, it can achieve more if it works with the federal government as
constitutionally stipulated. The consequences of the policies have more negative consequences
that outweigh the positives hence necessitating a change.

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References

Burnett, J. (2021). Controlling The Border Is A Challenge. Texas Gov. Abbott’s Crackdown Is
Proving That. Retrieved 16 September 2021, from
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/06/1025253908/controlling-the-border-is-a-challenge-
texas-gov-abbotts-crackdown-is-proving-tha
García, U. J. (2021, August 23). As Gov. Greg Abbott beefs up border enforcement, some locals
want very different kinds of help. The Texas
Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/23/texas-border-immigration-greg-
abbott-enforcement/
Hansen, C. (2021). Justice Department Sues Texas Over Abbott’s New Immigration Order,
Kicking Off Legal Battle. Retrieved 16 September 2021, from
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2021-07-30/legal-battle-looms-
over-abbotts-latest-texas-immigration-order
Texas Public Policy Foundation. (2018). Federal Immigration Reform, Texas-
Style. https://files.texaspolicy.com/uploads/2018/08/16101741/Federal-Immigration-
Reform-Texas-Style.pdf
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2021). Illegal aliens: National net cost estimates vary
widely. U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S.
GAO). https://www.gao.gov/products/hehs-95-133