In the state of Texas, a package of six laws will go into effect, including a measure that expands the powers of U.S. Border Patrol agents to search and arrest suspects of serious crimes under Texas law at border checkpoints.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday signed into law a package of border security bills expanding the Republican’s efforts to curb immigrant influx and drug trafficking, announcing a “new buoy barrier” on the Rio Grande.

Another measure authorizes the Texas military to use drones to monitor the Texas-Mexico border.

It also designates Mexican drug cartels and criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations in the state of Texas, and increases state penalties for crimes committed by these groups.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks with Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other officials as bills are signed into law to safeguard the security of the United States’ southern border.
Photo: AFP

The bill also allows the governor of Texas to coordinate and implement border security pacts with other states without relying on the approval of the US Congress.

Abbott told a news conference he signed the bills “to ensure Texas can continue to do even more to stop illegal immigration” and to provide new tools “to protect Texans and Americans from the chaos and crisis at the border .”

Since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, Abbott has accused the Democratic administration of “keeping the gates open at the border” and creating an “unprecedented” crisis.

The Republican also announced this Thursday the installation of floating barriers to prevent illegal crossings at critical points along the Rio Grande border (Mexico’s Rio Grande).

“With these buoys we can prevent people from reaching the border,” he said.

The first 300 feet of the floating barrier will be deployed near Eagle Pass in Maverick County.

Colonel Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the buoys can be deployed quickly and are mobile.

Abbott is still waiting for a new package of immigration and border security bills to be passed by the Texas Senate.

One of his main proposals, which aimed to create a “mandatory prison term of at least 10 years for anyone caught smuggling illegal immigrants into Texas,” failed.