Texas House Bill HB271

Texas 2021 - 87th 1st C.S.

Caption

Relating to the establishment of and a grant program for temporary confinement facilities during local disasters relating to illegal immigration or border security.

Impact

The primary impact of HB271 is on counties that declare a local disaster in connection with illegal immigration or border security. It permits these counties to set up temporary confinement facilities that do not necessarily adhere to the same standards as traditional county jails, thereby allowing for a quicker and more flexible response in times of crisis. This flexibility is seen as essential for managing overload situations where local jails may be insufficient to handle an influx of detainees who are not lawfully present in the country.

Summary

House Bill 271 establishes a framework for the creation and funding of temporary confinement facilities during declared local disasters related to illegal immigration and border security. The bill mandates that the Texas criminal justice division will administer a grant program to assist counties financially in the establishment and operation of these facilities. This bill introduces new provisions to both the Government Code and Local Government Code aimed at streamlining the process for counties facing unique challenges during specific emergencies involving illegal immigration.

Contention

Notably, there are some points of contention surrounding the implementation of HB271. Critics may argue that it could lead to the establishment of facilities that operate outside the stringent standards required for jails, which could raise concerns about the treatment of individuals detained under this legislation. Furthermore, discussions are likely to include debate over the appropriateness of using state funds to support local enforcement actions related to immigration, which remains a contentious issue in various communities across Texas.