Thread: Texas senators debate interstate border security compact and border wall

Texas senators debate interstate border security compact and border wall



by: Sandra Sanchez
Posted: Mar 23, 2023 / 06:58 PM CDT
Updated: Mar 23, 2023 / 06:58 PM CDT






McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Texas Senate Border Security Committee on Thursday debated several border security-related bills, including one that would form a compact with other states and send resources to build more border wall in Texas.

SB 1403 would allow the governor to create an interstate compact with other states where “law enforcement intelligence on illegal activity occurring at the border with Mexico” would be shared with the other states that enter into the agreement.

The bill also would allow the sharing of state resources to build more border wall segments on state lands, and it would allow the sharing of other law enforcement resources to the Texas border “to ensure the protection of personnel and property.”

“This agreement seeks to address the shortcomings of existing federal border policy by providing states with the resources needed to address the ongoing security crisis at the southern border.

The compact allows states to collaborate on border enforcement and defensive structures, strengthening their capabilities to manage the crisis,” state Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, who authored the bill, told the committee in Austin. “The compact will provide a more comprehensive approach to address the border security emergency and support border communities.”

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But state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, pushed back, questioning why the bill only specifies the building of future border wall, and not the inclusion of virtual technology to stop illegal immigration from Mexico.





Texas State Sen. Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa, is a Democrat from McAllen, who serves on the Senate Border Security Committee. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)


“We also focus on a virtual wall with smart technology that we can use also to help. So that’s my main concern, I don’t want to just designate a border wall,” Hinojosa said.

“There might be parts along the border that a wall is appropriate. But we also have a lot of technology and other ways and assets to be able to detect and be able to deter border crossings,” Hinojosa said. “Walls built down in the Rio Grande Valley have all these spaces. People can walk through them. You can even drive a truck through them. So this wall is really not a wall. It’s just putting money to make people believe that we’re all safe and they’re not that effective.”

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Hinojosa is one of five members on the Senate Border Security Committee, which is chaired by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, who has proposed several border security measures

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Although Parker’s bill stipulates “congressional approval not required,” Birdwell expressed concerns that a compact with other states will require federal congressional approval in order not to violate the U.S. Constitution, which prevents states from entering into compacts.

The Constitution states: “No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.”



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