Texas lawmakers consider border security and immigration bills

Texas lawmakers are pressing forward with a host of border security and immigration-related bills during the 89th Legislative Session, continuing the state’s longstanding focus on addressing illegal immigration and bolstering security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

This legislative push comes amid reports of significantly reduced illegal border crossings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a “dramatic drop” in crossings since former President Donald Trump returned to office in January, citing March as having the lowest southwest border crossings on record. Trump himself declared the situation “the best border in the history of our country” in a recent NBC News interview. He also framed the immigration situation as part of a broader national emergency.

"The border is all part of the same thing,” Trump said. “The big emergency right now is that we have thousands of people that we want to take out… it’s an overall emergency on immigration.”

Legislative Action in Austin

In response to ongoing concerns from state leaders, Texas lawmakers are advancing several bills to fortify the state’s role in border security and immigration enforcement.

One of the cornerstone proposals in the Senate is Senate Bill 36, a top priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. It would establish a Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety, tasked with coordinating border-related operations and intelligence. The bill is currently being considered in the House after clearing the Senate.

Senate Bill 17, another major initiative, would restrict property purchases in Texas by individuals, companies, or governments from countries deemed security risks — echoing national security concerns raised in other states. While SB 17 has advanced out of committee, its counterpart in the House, House Bill 17, remains stalled.

Additionally, Senate Bill 8 would require county sheriffs in large counties (populations over 100,000) to enter formal agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement cooperation. The bill is awaiting its turn on the House calendar.

Broader Enforcement and Budget Commitments

Other legislation considered in House committees includes measures to expand arrest authority to select federal officers, increase penalties for fleeing law enforcement, and improve missing child recovery protocols. Among them:

HB 626 and HB 674 await floor consideration.

HB 908, which streamlines the reporting of missing children, has already passed the House and is under Senate review.

On the fiscal front, the House has passed a $337 billion budget for the 2026–2027 biennium, including more than $6.5 billion in border security funding. The budget earmarks funds for maintaining the state-constructed border wall and supporting local law enforcement. However, the House plan exceeds the Senate’s version by approximately $1 billion, prompting the formation of a conference committee to reconcile the differences.

A Continuing Focus

Governor Greg Abbott has maintained Texas’s assertive stance on immigration, including overseeing the state-funded construction of border wall segments — a contentious project that drew resistance from the Biden administration. Abbott has since requested federal reimbursement for the costs.

As lawmakers deliberate over the final versions of this legislation and budget priorities, Texas continues to shape itself as a central player in the national immigration debate — balancing federal enforcement partnerships with state-led initiatives.