Texas Sen, Charles Schwertner of District 5 filed SB 8 to provide local law enforcement officials with the tools they need to better assist the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining and deporting illegal aliens March 5.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Dan Patrick named the bill a priority. “We’re taking a critical step toward arming our local law enforcement officers with the tools they need to identify, detain and assist in the deportation of illegal aliens,” Schwertner said.
While Texas has one of the highest populations of illegal aliens, only 26 of Texas’ 254 counties currently leverage the ICE 287(G) Program as a tool to ensure that illegal aliens are identifi ed and properly detained. SB 8 would require sheriffs serving counties with populations exceeding 100,000 to seek out a formal written agreement with ICE. A grant program will be available to counties with fewer than 1 million residents to aid in additional personnel and training requirements. Mandated counties that fail to enroll in the program will be subject to legal action by the Office of Attorney General.
“I campaigned on this program when I first ran for office. This is a great way for county sheriffs and federal agents to develop close working relationships to better the safety of Texans and all citizens across the state,” Schwertner said.
