The Texas House tentatively passed legislation to establish a state law enforcement agency devoted to enforcing immigration laws during a marathon legislative day that lasted well into Wednesday morning.
The legislation would launch the Border Protection Unit, whose chief would be appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Officers would “arrest, apprehend or detain” people who illegally cross into the United States and “repel” people who attempt to enter the country.
Officers would also be able to return migrants to Mexico and conduct enhanced security checks of cargo vehicles to search for drugs and people being smuggled into the country.