AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News ) – The advocacy group Children At Risk held a roundtable this week to shine a light on what it says is the harmful effects of Senate Bill 4, which is on its way to becoming law after lawmakers approved it last month.
The measure makes illegal border crossings a state crime, allows police to arrest those caught doing it and requires judges to expel them to Mexico.
Anyone caught crossing illegally could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to six months in jail.
The bill also make anyone who has been previously convicted of entering Texas illegally subject to an increased second-degree felony charge, which carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison.
SB4 sparked fierce debate among lawmakers in Austin as it weaved its way through the legislature during the fourth special session.
Democrat State Representative Victoria Neave of Dallas has been a long-time critic of the bill.
“Our families have had to defend ourselves against legislation that calls us thieves for doing what our nation’s founding fathers did before us and that’s seeking a better life in this country,” she said.
Republican Representative David Spiller of Jacksboro sponsored the bill in the Texas House.
“It’s a landmark bill that allows Texas to protect Texas and send immigrants back,” he argued.
It’s an issue that has also sparked outcry among those in the nonprofit sector.
At the Children At Risk roundtable Thursday, Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health Director Jennifer Wolf Williams said research shows the negative impacts of these types of actions on children.
“Separating, detaining or deporting families causes long term psychological and physical harm. Such events are linked to impaired neurodevelopment with long term damage to cognitive, emotional and social functioning,” she said.
Critics argue SB4 will lead to racial profiling and anxiety for kids.
“They need to know that their families will remain in tact and that they can safely attend school without fear their parents will be targeted while dropping them off,” he said.
Other advocates, pointed out the bill’s potential impact on Texas commerce.
American Business Immigration Coalition Texas Director Juan Carlos Cerda said his organization advocates for the expansion of parole and work authorization opportunities for migrants.
“Because protective policies have already been legally used to many times in the past two years to protect 1.5 million immigrants from deportation and allow them to apply for a work permit,” he said.
SB4 is enhanced to a felony if the offender is accused of other crimes or refuses with a judge’s order to return to Mexico.
Critics argue that aspect of the measure usurps federal powers. Federal courts have ruled that immigration laws can only be enforced by the federal government.
Governor Greg Abbott said he will sign SB4 into law, which would take effect in March.
The Governor has said the intent of the bill is to curb a current influx in illegal immigration and has accused the Biden administration of not doing enough to secure the southern border.
The Biden administration has not responded directly to the outcome of SB4.
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