Bill > HB23

This bill creates a new criminal offense in Texas called "Improper Entry from Foreign Nation." It defines an "alien" as a person who is not a U.S. citizen or national, and makes it a criminal offense for an alien to enter or attempt to enter Texas from a foreign country at a location other than a lawful point of entry, to evade immigration inspection, or to enter by making false or misleading representations. The offense ranges from a Class A misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, depending on the person's prior convictions. The bill provides some affirmative defenses, such as having a federal immigration benefit or not violating federal immigration law. It also requires law enforcement to detain offenders in certain state-run border security facilities where possible.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=883&Bill=HB23