Wisconsin Senate Bill SJR118

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24
• Refer: 2/19/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Supporting Texas Governor Greg Abbott in his effort to stand up for his state and protect the U.S. border with Mexico.

Impact

The resolution supports state-level initiatives that Governor Abbott has undertaken as part of 'Operation Lone Star', which includes deploying the Texas National Guard and constructing floating barriers and razor wire fences along the Rio Grande. These actions are intended to deter illegal crossings at a time when the state feels it is necessitated by what they see as federal inaction on border management. By backing Abbott's measures, the resolution reinforces the state's commitment to prioritize border security and address related challenges more vigorously.

Summary

SJR118 is a Senate Joint Resolution introduced in 2024 supporting Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to address border security issues amid a significant surge in migration. The resolution responds to the alarming statistics indicating that over 300,000 migrants crossed the border from Mexico into the United States in December 2023. It highlights concerns that this influx might also be correlated with the potential increase in illegal drug trafficking, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to secure the border effectively.

Contention

There is a noted contention surrounding the federal government's response to these state-level actions. The resolution points out that rather than supporting Abbott’s initiatives, the federal government has filed lawsuits to impede these efforts. This raises questions about the balance of power and responsibility between state and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement and border security policy. Supporters of the resolution argue that states should have the authority to act independently when they believe federal actions are insufficient, whereas opponents may view this as an overreach that complicates national immigration policy.