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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an interstate compact on border security and |
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immigration enforcement. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding |
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Chapter 794 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 794. INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR BORDER SECURITY |
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Sec. 794.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "illegal alien" |
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means a person who: |
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(1) is not a citizen or national of the United States; |
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and |
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(2) is unlawfully present in the United States |
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according to the terms of 8 U.S.C. Section 1101 et seq. |
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Sec. 794.002. AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE INTERSTATE COMPACT. On |
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behalf of this state, the governor may: |
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(1) coordinate, develop, and execute an interstate |
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compact for border security among interested states; and |
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(2) seek the approval of the United States Congress |
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for the compact. |
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Sec. 794.003. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL. The compact |
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authorized by this chapter takes effect only if approved by the |
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United States Congress not later than the 10th anniversary of the |
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date the compact is executed by the governor under Section 794.002. |
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Sec. 794.004. INTERSTATE COMPACT PROVISIONS. The compact |
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authorized by this chapter must provide for joint action among |
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compacting states on matters that include: |
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(1) the operational control of this state's border |
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with Mexico by the total detection and apprehension or deflection |
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of illegal aliens attempting to cross the border into this state; |
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and |
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(2) any other enforcement of federal immigration laws, |
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including the detecting, apprehending, detaining, prosecuting, |
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releasing, and monitoring of illegal aliens. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |