Texas faced A.J Your remodel border policy With consent Three legislative measures established New rules On infrastructure, surveillance and territorial demarcation. These provisions, With the support of Governor Greg AbbottIt changed the scenario for thousands of migrants trying to cross into the United States.
Redefining the first measures adopted The role of frontier landowners By introducing them Tax benefits in exchange for permitting business or construction Intended exclusively to control the movement of people.
HB 247 created a Tax exemption system What did you search for? acceleration Wall installationAnd fences, ditches and roads It aims to prevent movement on the Texas-Mexico border.
That infrastructure, which the standard describes as “an improvement designed or adapted to monitor or prevent the movement of persons or things,” has become a key element of the nation’s security plan.
Increase walls and ditches on private property It will increase the difficulties of crossing the areaThis will close historic routes used by migrants and force many to shift to remote places, where environmental risks may be greater.
The Legislature passed HB 247 in May 2025 and established a prerequisite: Its entry into force depends on popular vote. The rule It will not come into effect on January 1, 2026 unless citizens accept the amendment Constitutional law that permits tax exemption.
Finally, in elections November 4 Finally, he got to the polls Proposition 17 And it was With the approval of 57% of voters.
The second clause did not modify borders through physical barriers, but it did It changed the way the state perceived its borderlands.
Specifically, HB 1240 established a broad, uniform definition of the “Texas-Mexico border area,” which changed the administration of state programs and distribution of public resources.
Measure A Regional expansion that reached 51 provincesMany of them are far from the international line.
the law Edit multiple country codes – including those for government, health and safety, education, transport and water – and included a unique description of the strategic area. New map It included borders and other internal provinceslike Pixar, Freo, Carnes, and Wilson before them They were not part of the official definitions based on geographic proximity Or in parameters such as a distance of 100 kilometers from Mexico.
Although the rule It has no direct impact on those trying to enter To the North American country, It has indirectly affected trans people. By expanding the target area for state investments, Texas expanded its institutional presence into areas previously considered inland.
This allows new roads, services, controls and government programs to be deployed over a much larger area, affecting the movement of migrants who have crossed the territory after crossing the border.
The Legislature and governor approved HB 1240 in June 2025, however It is scheduled to enter into force on September 1, 2026.When the new regional concept begins to be comprehensively implemented.
The third measure did not have the character of an executive law. HCR 98, House Concurrent Resolution, He urged the US Congress to expand the powers to use counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) on the border.
Texas argued so Cartels have started using drones With the ability to transport explosives or monitor authorities’ locations And raising the threat level in the region.
The decision stressed this Only four federal departments —Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, and Energy— They were allowed to deploy C-UAS technologywhich left the states in a state of operational dependency.
For this reason, Texas called on Congress to create protocols for the rapid exchange of informationAllow State, local, tribal, and territorial authorities to participate in these operations, and allocate the necessary resources to acquire and operate equipment and train personnel.
For migrants, the potential impact relates to: the Expanding air surveillance. Increasing the state’s technological capabilities It will allow the detection of smuggling networks that use drones To explore routes or monitor movements at borders.
The Legislature passed the resolution in May 2025, but its actual effect depends on Congress’s reaction.
Only federal reform would allow Texas’ authority to expand Regarding counter-drone aerial systems during 2025 or 2026. At this time, it has not been addressed on Capitol Hill.