Texas House panel reviews House Bill 354 on border security

Key Takeaways

• HB354 proposes a specialized Border Protection Unit with new arrest powers and penalties for illegal entry.
• SB36 creates a Homeland Security Division in DPS, focusing on immigration, crime, and infrastructure security.
• HB1308 and HB2744 require E-Verify for state contractors and impose $10,000 fines per undocumented worker.

A Texas House panel is currently at the center of one of the state’s most heated political debates: how to tackle border security and address the hiring of undocumented workers. The panel is reviewing a group of new bills that could change the way the state handles these issues, from direct enforcement at the Texas-Mexico border to punishing companies that hire people without legal status. This push comes as lawmakers grapple with concerns over state sovereignty, safety at the border, and ongoing worries about undocumented immigration.

A Closer Look at House Bill 354: The Border Protection Unit

One of the most talked about proposals is House Bill 354. If passed, HB354 would set up a new Border Protection Unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This unit’s main job would be to police the Texas border with Mexico 🇲🇽.

Here’s what’s important about HB354:

• The new unit would have its own base in the border area.
• It would be made up of both police officers and special agents who are not regular police.
• These officers would have the clear authority to arrest or hold anyone they believe is entering Texas 🇺🇸 illegally.
• HB354 introduces new crimes for crossing the border without permission and creates civil penalties—for example, fines—for breaking these rules.

Lawmakers behind this measure say the specialized unit will step up Texas 🇺🇸 efforts to respond directly to changes and challenges at the border, especially if federal action is slow or lacking. However, critics say it could lead to legal troubles for the state, because border enforcement is usually a federal job.

Senate Bill 36: Making Immigration Enforcement Part of State Law Enforcement

The Texas House panel is also reviewing Senate Bill 36, which has already received strong support in the Senate. SB36 would make immigration enforcement a permanent part of the Department of Public Safety by setting up a special Homeland Security Division. This new division would focus on:

• Border and immigration enforcement
• Fighting organized crime, such as cartel activity
• Protecting important public resources like roads and electricity

Supporters of SB36 believe this measure will give DPS the tools it needs to react to ongoing border and security threats. Lawmakers voted strongly in favor of it (26–4) in the Senate, showing broad support among lawmakers for these tougher measures.

How Much Is Too Much? The Funding Debate

There’s more at stake than just new laws: Texas 🇺🇸 lawmakers are debating an extra $6.5 billion for border security. If added, total spending since the launch of Operation Lone Star—Governor Greg Abbott’s large-scale border operation begun in 2021—would hit nearly $17 billion.

Supporters say the spending is needed to keep “operational control” until federal authorities step in, but others worry it’s a waste, especially since illegal crossings at the border have recently gone down. Some call for better use of the money, while others—especially Republicans—want to double down no matter what the numbers show.

Lawmakers are also asking the federal government for more reimbursement, saying the state shouldn’t have to foot the entire bill for a problem it shares with the United States 🇺🇸 as a whole.

Targeting the Workplace: Bills Cracking Down on Hiring Undocumented Workers

While border enforcement gets the headlines, the Texas House panel is also looking at tougher rules for companies that might hire people without legal status. Two bills in particular stand out:

• House Bill 1308: This would force any business that wants a state contract (including their subcontractors—businesses they hire to help them) to use E-Verify. E-Verify is an online system run by the federal government that checks if employees are legally allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
  • Companies caught breaking this rule could lose their business licenses while working on the contract.
  • Anyone, including regular citizens, would be able to report possible violations by contacting the Attorney General’s office.
• House Bill 2744: HB2744 builds on HB1308’s requirements but adds a big fine. Any state contractor found to have an undocumented worker could face a $10,000 penalty for each worker.

Both bills aim to hold companies directly responsible for following the law. They also encourage whistleblowers, meaning if someone inside a company or the public sees something wrong, they can report it and spark an official investigation.

Lawmakers believe this will discourage hiring undocumented workers and help ensure that Texas 🇺🇸 jobs go to people who are legally eligible. Opponents, on the other hand, warn it could create fear and encourage false accusations, possibly hurting hardworking people and companies trying to follow the law.

Expanding the Net: Other Legislative Proposals for the Border

Aside from the headline bills, other proposals seek to widen the state’s approach to border security:

• Property Damage Support (HB246): This bill would expand a fund that pays property owners whose land is damaged by activity connected to border crime. In other words, if someone’s ranch or farm is harmed because of cross-border activity, they could now get reimbursed more easily.
• Tax Breaks for Security Activities (HB247): Landowners willing to help build or put up barriers or other security-related infrastructure—like fences or cameras—could receive lower property taxes.

Both bills recognize that property owners along the border often face losses and challenges due to crime tied to cross-border movement. The state hopes these incentives will get more people involved in border security efforts.

Several proposals also call for increased federal reimbursements. The idea here is simple: Texas 🇺🇸 leaders want the U.S. government to help pay the state back for money spent on operations like Operation Lone Star. Efforts are underway at both the state and federal levels to push for this, including bills like the State Border Security Reimbursement Act.

The Bigger Picture: Political Forces and What’s Driving Change

Why are these bills getting so much attention right now? Several factors shape the current moment:

• Governor Greg Abbott’s Approach: Over several years, the Governor has made border security a top priority. His administration has invested in physical barriers, brought in the National Guard, and put up razor wire to block popular crossing areas. These moves set the stage for the sweeping proposals now under review.
• Federal vs. State Tensions: Under President Biden, the federal government has taken steps to open legal pathways for immigration and responded to surges with new programs. Even so, many Texas 🇺🇸 lawmakers—especially Republican officials—believe not enough is being done and continue to push for strict state-level actions.
• Public Demand and Security Concerns: Border security ranks high with many Texas 🇺🇸 voters. Lawmakers want to be seen as tough on illegal crossings, even as federal data show declining apprehensions.
• Unanswered Legal Questions: Several proposed laws, especially those that give state officers arrest authority, could head straight to court. The United States 🇺🇸 Constitution gives the federal government primary control over immigration. When states pass their own rules, it often sparks legal showdowns. For example, similar laws have been challenged successfully in other states in recent years.

Comparing the Main Bills: What Each One Does

To make all of this a bit easier to follow, here’s a summary of the key bills being reviewed by the Texas House panel:

Each bill targets a different piece of the larger immigration puzzle. HB354 and SB36 both enhance law enforcement roles, but HB354 is about creating a sharp, focused force at the border itself, while SB36 changes how DPS works statewide. HB1308 and HB2744 address economic levers—going after employers, not just individuals at the border.

Why These Topics Matter for Different Groups

Immigration and border legislation has wide impacts. Here’s how different groups might be affected if these bills move forward:

• Undocumented Immigrants: New rules would raise the risks of being caught, fined, or even jailed if found in Texas 🇺🇸 without legal status. The workplace bills would also shrink job opportunities, especially in industries reliant on contract labor.
• Texas Businesses: Companies, especially those bidding for government work, would need to adopt stricter hiring practices. Failing to do so might mean heavy fines or lost licenses, so many are already rechecking worker paperwork and preparing for possible change.
• Border Law Enforcement: Police and other officers could see their duties and authority grow, especially with the possible creation of new positions and units. But with greater power could come more scrutiny—and a higher risk of lawsuits.
• Homeowners Along the Border: The state is offering more support for losses, but also asking for help—a give and take that brings some relief but also new responsibilities.
• Texas Taxpayers: With billions on the line, everyone who pays taxes in Texas 🇺🇸 could be affected. Some welcome these efforts as a way to improve public safety; others worry about the cost and legal battles that may result.

Legal Questions Linger: Who’s Really in Charge?

If the Texas House panel sends these bills to the floor and they pass, court action will almost certainly follow. The heart of the legal fight is about the line between federal and state authority over immigration. The U.S. Supreme Court has often ruled that only the federal government can make certain immigration decisions, but some things—like workplace verification—have been allowed at the state level. Laws giving state police the power to arrest immigrants, however, are much more likely to be challenged.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, similar efforts in other states have faced quick legal action. Arizona passed a tough law in 2010, but most of its key parts were later struck down by the Supreme Court. Texas 🇺🇸 lawmakers know this risk but say the current crisis at the border means new action is needed, court fights or not.

What Happens Next?

The Texas House panel is working through these bills one by one, and the result of their review could shape immigration enforcement in Texas 🇺🇸 for years to come. If the panel gives a bill a green light, it will move to the full House for debate. Some measures, like SB36, already have Senate backing and could quickly become law if approved.

People hope the tough talk translates into real solutions, but there’s plenty of debate about whether it’s the right approach—or even legal. Business owners, immigrant advocates, and legal experts are all keeping a close eye on how lawmakers finalize these proposals and when they might take effect.

If you want to read more about House Bill 354 or any of the other bills under discussion, you can visit the official Texas Legislature website for the exact bill text and updates as the process moves forward: Texas Legislature Online.

In Summary

The Texas House panel’s work on bills like House Bill 354, SB36, HB1308, and HB2744 is only the latest in a long tradition of legislative action on immigration and border security in Texas 🇺🇸. These bills show just how divided and passionate people can be about who gets to live and work in the state and what steps lawmakers should take to protect communities.

No matter what happens next, the choices made by this panel will have an impact—on workers, families, law enforcement, and every taxpayer in Texas 🇺🇸. What’s clear is that immigration will remain at the center of debate for years to come, with Texas 🇺🇸 lawmakers determined to keep the state at the forefront of the national conversation.

Learn Today

Border Protection Unit → A proposed specialized group within Texas DPS, tasked with policing the Texas-Mexico border and arresting illegal entrants.
E-Verify → An online federal system allowing employers to check if workers are legally authorized to work in the United States.
Operation Lone Star → A Texas state initiative launching large-scale border security efforts since 2021, including resource deployment and funding.
Homeland Security Division → A proposed permanent section within DPS focused on immigration and organized crime enforcement across Texas.
Civil Penalties → Fines or non-criminal monetary punishments imposed by the state for violating immigration-related laws or regulations.

This Article in a Nutshell

Texas lawmakers are debating unprecedented border and immigration reforms: new enforcement units, strict employer fines, and billions in security spending. Key bills target both the border and job markets, while bigger questions linger about legality and who should pay the costs. Outcomes will affect Texans for years ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com

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