👮🇺🇸 Texas Senate Passes Bill Forcing Sheriffs to Cooperate With ICE in Immigration Enforcement
🗳️📜 Texas Senate Approves Bill Requiring Citizenship Proof to Vote in State, Local, Presidential Races 🧱⚠️ Vietnamese Migrant Dies, Another Injured After Fall From San Diego Border Wall
👮🇺🇸 Texas Senate Passes Bill Forcing Sheriffs to Cooperate With ICE in Immigration Enforcement
Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune.- The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 8, mandating sheriffs in counties with over 100,000 residents to request 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, granting federal immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement. The bill, championed by Republican Sens. Joan Huffman and Charles Schwertner, passed in a 20-11 vote and now advances to the state House. It also establishes a $20 million grant program for counties under 1 million residents to offset enforcement costs. The legislation allows the Attorney General’s Office to sue sheriffs for non-compliance and file such suits locally. Critics argue it promotes racial profiling and imposes costly burdens, citing past abuses under similar programs like those led by ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. Proponents claim the bill prioritizes public safety. As of March, 43 Texas law enforcement agencies had 287(g) agreements, primarily for jail-based enforcement.
Key Facts:
Bill Name: Senate Bill 8
Passed: Texas Senate (20-11 vote)
Sponsors: Sens. Joan Huffman and Charles Schwertner
Requirement: Sheriffs in counties >100,000 residents must request ICE 287(g) agreements
Funding: $20M in grants for counties <1 million residents
Enforcement Power: State Attorney General can sue non-compliant sheriffs
Criticism: Concerns over racial profiling and high costs
Supporters’ View: Focuses on identifying criminality, not nationality
Next Step: Bill moves to Texas House of Representatives
Context: 43 Texas law enforcement agencies currently have 287(g) agreements
Notable Example: Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s controversial use of 287(g) program in Arizona🗳️📜 Texas Senate Approves Bill Requiring Citizenship Proof to Vote in State, Local, Presidential Races
Natalia Contreras, The Texas Tribune.- The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 16, a Republican-led measure requiring all voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship before voting in state, local, and presidential elections. Those unable to provide such documentation would be limited to casting ballots in federal congressional races. Authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, the bill passed swiftly after minimal debate and now moves to the Texas House. It expands voter eligibility checks to registered voters and mandates local election officials to continuously verify voter citizenship, with potential felony charges for failure. Critics argue that the law imposes heavy burdens on voters and election officials, may confuse mail voters, and may discourage eligible voters lacking documents. The law, modeled after Arizona’s, is projected to cost nearly $2 million over five years. If enacted, it would take effect in September 2025 — just months ahead of the 2026 primaries.
Key Facts:
Bill Name: Senate Bill 16
Sponsor: Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)
Status: Passed Texas Senate; moves to Texas House
Main Requirement: Voters must show proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in state/local/presidential elections
Alternative: Without proof, voters limited to federal congressional races
Applies To: New and already registered voters
Acceptable Documents: Passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, consular birth report, etc.
Implementation Date: September 2025 (if passed)
Fiscal Impact: Estimated $2 million over 5 years for the Secretary of State’s office
Opposition Arguments: Burdensome to voters and local officials, voter suppression risk, legal challenges expected
Supporter Argument: Aims to prevent noncitizen voting, which is already rare
Enforcement: Election officials could face felony charges for registering voters without verification
Backup Proposal: Advocates suggest including an affidavit option for those lacking documents
Comparable Law: Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship law (partially blocked by federal courts)
Mail Voting Concern: Bill lacks clarity for absentee voters (elderly, disabled, military)
Impact on Election Process: Anticipated increase in provisional ballots, administrative burden
⚖️👧 Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore Legal Aid for Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Janie Har, Associated Press.- A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reinstate legal aid services for unaccompanied migrant children after the administration abruptly terminated a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín granted the emergency request Tuesday, citing violations of the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which mandates legal counsel for children facing immigration proceedings alone. The ruling, effective through April 16, affects about 26,000 children and marks the third legal setback for the administration’s immigration crackdown in a week. Plaintiffs said children, many of whom are traumatized or don’t speak English, are being left defenseless in court. The government argued there’s no requirement to fund direct legal aid and suggested clinics operate pro bono. The judge emphasized that legal representation promotes efficiency and fairness in the immigration system.
🧱⚠️ Vietnamese Migrant Dies, Another Injured After Fall From San Diego Border Wall
Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune.- One Vietnamese migrant died and another was seriously injured late Monday after falling from the U.S.-Mexico border barrier near Clearwater Way and Dairy Mart Road in San Diego, west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Border Patrol agents discovered the two individuals around 11 p.m. and confirmed they had attempted to climb the barrier to enter the United States. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while the survivor was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased. The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The fatal fall highlights ongoing concerns about migrant safety amid heightened border enforcement. CBP and local officials have increasingly reported serious injuries and deaths related to dangerous crossing attempts over the 30-foot-high steel border walls that separate Mexico from California.
Key Facts:
Incident Time: Around 11 p.m., Monday, March 31, 2025
Location: Clearwater Way & Dairy Mart Road, west of San Ysidro Port of Entry, San Diego
Victims: Two Vietnamese nationals
Outcome:
1 pronounced dead at the scene
1 transported to hospital with injuries
Cause: Fall from U.S.-Mexico border barrier
Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility
Agencies Involved: Border Patrol, San Diego Police Department
Names: Not yet released
Context: Ongoing concerns over migrant deaths and injuries related to high-risk crossings over the border wall