Donate
Issues

Border Security & Public Safety

A Safer & More Secure Texas

Protecting Our Communities

A secure border is essential to protecting Texans from crime, illegal drugs, human trafficking and dangerous criminals. Under Speaker Burrows’ leadership, the Texas House has taken decisive action to strengthen border security, uphold the rule of law, crack down on human trafficking and keep Texas communities safe.

Leading in Border Security

Texas remains on the front lines of securing the border and stopping criminal activity before it reaches our communities. Even with a strong federal partner in President Trump, the Texas Legislature continues taking aggressive action to secure the border.

  • Invested more than $3 billion in border security operations and enforcement efforts (SB 1)
  • Required certain law enforcement agencies across Texas to work with federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration laws and remove criminal illegal immigrants (SB 8)
  • Created a new Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety to lead border security and counterterrorism efforts (SB 36)
  • Established a new property tax incentive for border landowners who allow border wall construction on their property (HJR 34)
  • Expanded the Attorney General’s compensation program for landowners and ranchers whose property, livestock or operations are damaged by border crime or law enforcement activity (SB 2601)

Keeping Texans Safe

While some agenda-driven local officials and activist District Attorneys refuse to prosecute crimes, the Texas House is keeping dangerous criminals off our streets, combatting human trafficking and better protecting Texans.

  • Required judges to deny bail for people accused of violent crimes who are found to be a danger to the public or a flight risk (SJR 5)
  • Reformed Texas’ bail system to make public safety the top priority and limit bail for high-risk defendants (SB 9)
  • Required the immediate execution of arrest warrants for violent offenders who violate their electronic monitoring conditions while on parole (HB 1024)
  • Banned charitable bail organizations from using public funds to pay bail for criminal defendants (SB 40)
  • Made it aggravated assault to fire a gun during a road-rage incident—even if no one is hit—with penalties of up to life in prison (SB 3031)
  • Increased the mandatory minimum sentence for attempted capital murder of a peace officer to 25 years and eliminated parole eligibility (HB 1871)
  • Strengthened criminal penalties for delivering illegal drugs through social media platforms (SB 1833)
  • Protected vulnerable seniors by requiring criminal background checks for employees and vendors serving senior living facilities (SB 1283)
  • Provided grants to equip law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant safety features, including reinforced windows, windshields and doors (HB 2217)
  • Supported firefighters by requiring local governments to provide free, regular occupational cancer screenings (HB 198)

Fighting Human Trafficking

  • Raised the penalty for human trafficking to a first-degree felony (SB 1212)
  • Gave the Attorney General authority to prosecute human trafficking cases when local prosecutors fail to act (HB 45)
  • Denied parole for traffickers who prey on children or disabled Texans, helping ensure violent predators serve meaningful prison time (HB 2306)
  • Required first responders and emergency medical personnel to complete human trafficking training so they can better identify and help victims (HB 742 & 754)
  • Officially made the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation authority over its human trafficking unit part of state law, strengthening oversight of industries where human trafficking is known to occur (SB 610)
  • Allowed cities to suspend a hotel’s Certificate of Occupancy when local law enforcement is investigating trafficking activity on the property (HB 5509)
  • Paused occupational and business licensing applications for individuals or businesses suspected of human trafficking (SB 2167)

What’s Next

The work to keep Texans safe does not end when the legislative session adjourns.

Through Speaker Burrows’ interim charges issued to House committees, lawmakers are examining the practices of derelict local prosecutors who refuse to enforce the law or prosecute crimes because of political agendas or outside influence. They are exploring ways to strengthen accountability, uphold the rule of law and restore Texans’ confidence in the justice system.

The Texas House is also examining ways to recruit and train the next generation of law enforcement officers and ensure Texas communities remain among the safest in the nation.