For too long, Texas has been held hostage to the whims of federal immigration policy. When Washington decides to enforce our laws, Texans breathe easier. When it doesn’t, our communities suffer—bearing the costs of unchecked illegal immigration, cartel violence, and overwhelmed public services. This cycle of vulnerability must end.
President Trump’s January 20th executive order has opened a door that Texas must walk through immediately. By invoking the Guarantee Clause of the Constitution and reauthorizing the 287(g) Task Force Model, the federal government has handed Texas the tools to permanently secure our own borders. This isn’t just another policy change—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure Texas sovereignty over immigration enforcement.
Why 287(g) Agreements Change Everything
The reinstated 287(g) Task Force Model fundamentally transforms what Texas can do to protect itself. Unlike previous limited agreements that only allowed jail-based screening, the Task Force Model empowers every Texas peace officer to act with the same authority as federal immigration agents—identifying, questioning, and detaining illegal aliens anywhere in our state.
Think about what this means: No longer will Texas need to beg Washington for enforcement. No longer will our safety depend on who sits in the Oval Office. With proper implementation of 287(g) agreements, Texas can build an immigration enforcement system that functions regardless of federal policy shifts.
When a new administration inevitably attempts to open our borders again, Texas will be ready.
Building a Texas-Controlled Enforcement System
To seize this opportunity, Texas must move beyond piecemeal approaches. We need a permanent, state-controlled immigration enforcement infrastructure:
Texas leaders should consider creating a dedicated State Immigration Enforcement Fund that directly finances local participation. Many sheriff departments and police agencies want to enforce immigration laws but have fewer resources. By providing state funding for training, overtime, detention, and legal protection, we remove all financial barriers to enforcement.
Second, Texas can develop state-operated removal centers and authorize the Texas Military Department to transport detainees. This solves the critical detention space shortage that has hamstrung enforcement for decades.
Protecting Texas for Generations, Not Just Four Years
The genius of this approach is its durability. By institutionalizing immigration enforcement at the state level, Texas protects itself against the inevitable policy reversals in Washington. When federal administrations change—and they will—Texas will maintain control over its borders and have a better handle on interior enforcement efforts.
Consider the alternative: If we fail to build this infrastructure now, we’ll find ourselves defenseless when federal policies inevitably shift again. We have a historic opportunity to advance these measures with the Trump administration’s support.
Three Enforcement Models Working Together
A comprehensive approach requires implementing all three 287(g) models:
- The Jail Enforcement Model processes criminal aliens already in custody.
- The Warrant Service Officer Program protects agencies from legal challenges when enforcing detainers.
- The Task Force Model—the most powerful tool—allows officers to conduct immigration enforcement during normal duties.
By mandating participation across all Texas law enforcement agencies, we create an enforcement network with no gaps for illegal aliens and criminal networks to exploit. Every traffic stop, every routine police interaction becomes an opportunity to identify those here illegally.
Make no mistake: this is about Texas reclaiming its sovereign right to protect its citizens. For too long, we’ve been told that immigration is exclusively federal territory. Yet when the federal government abdicates its responsibility, Texas communities pay the price.
287(g) agreements, particularly the Task Force Model, give Texas the legal foundation to assert control over who enters and remains in our state. This isn’t just about immigration—it’s about Texas maintaining the permanent role we will always have in homeland defense, regardless of who sits in the White House.
Attorney General Paxton has already taken the first step by signing a 287(g) Task Force Model Agreement. Now every Texas county, every city police department, and every constable must follow suit. Through full implementation and accountability, Texas can build an immigration enforcement system that will protect our state for generations.
The opportunity before us may never come again. Will we build lasting Texas sovereignty, or remain forever dependent on the political winds of Washington? The choice is ours, but the time to decide is now.