The “Border Protection Unit” would be a force of officers that can "arrest, detain and deter individuals crossing the border illegally."
On Wednesday, the House Committee on State Affairs will hear testimony over a bill that would expand the State’s ability to enforce immigration law.
House Bill 20, priority legislation filed by Rep. Matt Schaefer, calls for the creation of a new unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The “Border Protection Unit” would be a force of officers that can “arrest, detain, and deter individuals crossing the border illegally including with the use of non-deadly force.” The bill says the officers of the unit must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, or have law enforcement experience.