Texas GOP Revives Border Security Measure Democrats Thought They Had Killed

Immigrants wait to be processed to make asylum claims during a dust storm at a makeshift immigrant camp located between the Rio Grande and the U.S.-Mexico border fence on May 10, 2023 in El Paso, Texas.

Photo: Getty Images

A Republican border security strategy is on its way to the Senate for approval after Democrats thought they'd killed it in the House. House Bill 20 called for the creation of a Border Protection Unit that joins police with civilians to deter illegal crossings. A Democratic representative successfully blocked the bill with a point of order. But before Democrats could complete their victory lap, Republicans added the measure as an amendment to House Bill 7, which also deals with border security. The House gave HB7 its final approval on Wednesday.