Anti-immigrant sentiment remains a powerful political tool, providing a convenient scapegoat for societal ills and spurring action through fearmongering and xenophobia. And nowhere is this more apparent than in this year’s session of the Texas 88th Legislature, which runs through May 29.
One bill introduced in the state senate would make illegal entry a state crime, punishable in some cases by life in prison; but even more threatening is House Bill 20, The Border Protection Unit Act.
Described by the Texas Civil Rights Project as “the most dangerous proposal we have ever seen on border issues,” the bill would create a “Border Protection Unit” whose officers can “arrest, detain, and deter individuals crossing the border illegally including with the use of non-deadly force.” Chillingly, it would grant those officers unit immunity “from criminal and civil liability for any actions taken that are authorized” by the proposed law. (Read more about House Bill 20 and other anti-immigrant legislation here and here; then read an in-depth analysis by the Texas Civil Rights Project here.)
Please join us in working to defeat this bill. This may be the most important action you take this year in supporting our fellow human beings’ right to asylum.
“A new military force under Gov. Greg Abbott, potentially staffed by vigilantes deputized as law enforcement authorities, will provide no protection to border communities whatsoever. Trying to solve what is fundamentally a humanitarian crisis with a full-frontal military response shows a reckless disregard for the safety of the people in our state and a fundamental misunderstanding of the root causes of the issues at our border.”
~ Roberto Lopez, Senior Advocacy Manager,
Beyond Borders Program, Texas Civil Rights Project
If passed, House Bill 20—overstepping a previous Supreme Court ruling that immigration laws are the purview of the federal government—would undoubtedly face court challenges which the Texas Attorney General’s office said they would welcome “because the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed.”
“HB20 does not make our borders safer, and instead encourages paramilitary forces and militia groups nationwide to travel to Texas and take part in violent operations.“
~ Roberto Lopez, Senior Advocacy Manager,
Beyond Borders Program, Texas Civil Rights Project
IWC Advocacy is strategizing with sister organizations like Texas Impact to find the most effective ways to block this bill—and others like it—which provide windfall profits for corporate-run private prisons and their investors while negatively impacting immigrants, border residents, and persons of color.
And we need your help.
If you didn’t answer last week’s special email inviting you to join our roster of Texas advocates, please do so now. We’ll be coordinating time-sensitive campaigns and asking you to make a call, send an email, or write a letter. And because HB 20 is so dangerous to everyone, we are asking that you consider traveling to Austin for committee hearings on this bill. We’ll have 2-3 days’ notice, and the more people we have speaking about our own personal experience welcoming immigrants, the better our chances to keep the bill from passing to the House floor for a vote. If you have already filled out the form once—and now find it possible to travel to Austin for the committee hearings—please click on it again here; click on “edit your response,” and you’ll have the option to let us know you are available to testify.
“Texas needs a sober look at the reality on the border, to listen to residents who are leading humanitarian efforts, and to stop building more cages for every problem the State faces.”
~ Roberto Lopez, Senior Advocacy Manager,
Beyond Borders Program, Texas Civil Rights Project
Please join our roster of Texas advocates here and forward this email to like-minded friends and family, inviting them to join us in taking action against egregious legislation targeting our fellow human beings seeking safety.
