PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Southeast Texas business community is working to learn more about the local impact of a new state law.
In December 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 4. The law makes illegally crossing the border a state crime and increases penalties for those who employ illegal immigrants.
“Senate Bill 4 is the criminalization of immigration at the state level here in Texas,” said Kristin Etter, director of policy and legal affairs at the Texas Immigration Law Council.
Business owners and leaders in Southeast Texas learned Friday how SB4 will affect their operations.
“If you're an employer and you have an employee, and that employee is driving your car, and that employee gets pulled over for being in the country illegally, imagine who you two are hurting. Check it out,” said the Texas Mexican American Chamber Association. J.R. Gonzalez, Vice-Chairman of Commerce;
Under SB4, business owners who employ illegal immigrants could be charged with human smuggling and jail time. However, even employees can be punished.
“This has the potential to put people who drive their co-workers home, who drive students home, at risk of being charged with smuggling. And this is not an issue for Latinos or Hispanics. No. This is simply an American problem, because America is a land full of immigrants,” said Texas Representative Christian Manuel, 22nd District.
This part of the law will take effect on February 6, 2024, and the penalties will be increased from 10 to 15 years in prison.
Governor Abbott has said these extreme measures are necessary to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into Texas.
Governor Abbott said, “The impact of SB4 will be profound, with a dramatic reduction in the number of people crossing the border illegally, well over 50% and perhaps 75% expected to stop coming from Texas.'' “It will be done,” he said.
The Justice Department still objects to parts of the new law. The federal government says border patrol and immigration arrests are outside the jurisdiction of states.
