By State Rep. Brooks Landgraf
As a State Representative for Texas, I’ve witnessed firsthand the havoc wreaked by the Biden administration’s flagrant disregard for our nation’s immigration laws. The consequences of President Biden’s actions have been dire, plunging our border communities into turmoil and emboldening criminal elements to exploit our southern frontier for nefarious purposes. This crisis demands our attention, and Texas has stepped up to confront it head-on.
The situation at our border is not merely a political talking point; it’s a stark reality that affects the safety and security of every Texan. The Biden administration’s negligence has allowed cartels and human traffickers to run rampant, smuggling drugs, weapons, and people across our border with alarming impunity. The consequences of this lawlessness are felt not only in our border communities but throughout our entire state and nation.
In response to this crisis, Texas has taken decisive action. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed legislation allocating $6.6 billion towards bolstering our border security efforts. This funding, which I was proud to fight for, has been instrumental in continuing the construction of physical barriers and walls, essential components in deterring illegal border crossings and providing our law enforcement officers with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
Moreover, I co-authored Senate Bill 4 to authorize our law enforcement officers to arrest individuals who enter Texas illegally and empower judges to remove them from the state. This legislation was a direct response to the federal government’s failure to enforce our immigration laws. While we hoped that Washington would step up to the plate and fulfill its constitutional obligations, the reality is that we cannot rely on federal action to address this crisis.
I applaud the recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court to temporarily uphold Texas’ SB 4 which meant the legislation could be enforced by law enforcement in our state while legal proceedings on this legislation unfold in the lower courts. This ruling signaled a recognition by the Supreme Court of the need for our state to take proactive measures to address our border security concerns and represents a significant step forward in restoring order and stability to our communities.
However, hours after the Supreme Court ruling —and at the time of writing— the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals once again blocked our state from enforcing the new law, at least for the time being.
Our response to this crisis has not been driven by politics but by a sense of duty to protect our state and its citizens. That is why we will continue to exercise every available avenue, including legal measures, to ensure the safety and security of our state. I am confident that this law will ultimately serve as an effective means of addressing illegal border crossings while respecting the fundamental principles of justice and security.
While legal battle continues, I stand ready to continue this fight alongside Governor Abbott and all Texans. Together, we will send a clear message to the Biden administration and to the rest of the country: Texas will not back down in the face of adversity. It’s time for Washington to wake up to the reality of the crisis at our border and take meaningful action to address it. Until then, Texas will continue to lead the charge in protecting our state and its citizens.
God bless Texas!
