Texas House Bill HB31

Texas 2021 - 87th 3rd 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 bill amends existing statutes within the Government and Local Government Codes, specifically adding provisions that outline eligibility criteria, application procedures, evaluation metrics, and compliance standards for the grants. By enabling the establishment of temporary confinement facilities, the bill aims to provide counties with flexibility in managing detainment options during declared local disasters, particularly pertaining to issues surrounding immigration policy and border security.

Summary

House Bill 31, introduced by Representative Slaton, proposes the establishment of a grant program aimed at assisting counties with the creation and operation of temporary confinement facilities during local disasters related to illegal immigration or border security. The objective of this bill is to provide counties with financial support and administrative guidance for managing temporary facilities to detain individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States and who are accused of crimes, rather than using traditional county jail facilities.

Contention

While the bill addresses pressing concerns regarding local disaster management and immigration enforcement, it may also incite significant debate regarding civil liberties and the treatment of detained individuals. Critics may raise concerns about the implications of detaining non-citizens outside the standard jail system, particularly regarding the potential for human rights violations and the adequacy of oversight for such temporary facilities. Furthermore, the broader context of immigration enforcement in the state could render the bill a subject of contention in political discussions, as the reality of local disaster responses intersects with ongoing discussions about immigration policy.