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States are starting to take matters into their own hands. The Texas Senate just passed a bill that would authorize state law enforcement to arrest foreign nationals who illegally cross the Southern border.

The bill makes illegal border crossing a state criminal offense, giving state officers the power to make arrests.

State Senator Brian Birdwell said the bill is necessary because the federal government is not properly enforcing immigration law. The Republican said that “Texas had to fill the gaps” left by the Biden administration.

The bill makes illegal border crossing a misdemeanor for first offenses. But further arrests will see escalating charges, up to a second-degree felony.

This comes as Operation Lone Star officers have apprehended almost 370,000 illegal immigrants since March 2021. The bill now enters the state House of Representatives.