Red state faces legal battle with Biden administration over important issue.
Immigration Bill Authorizing Local Police to Arrest Illegal Immigrants in Louisiana
An immigration bill that would allow local police to arrest illegal immigrants is heading to the desk of Louisiana’s governor, bringing a potential legal showdown with the Biden administration another step closer.
Senate Bill 388, authored by GOP state Sen. Valarie Hodges, was given final approval by the state’s upper chamber on Tuesday after a series of amendments. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Jeff Landry’s, who is expected to sign the bill.
The bill makes it a crime for an illegal immigrant to enter or re-enter the state after having been deported. Violating the law is punishable by imprisonment of up to a year and a fine of up to $4,000.
Louisiana’s governor would also be authorized to create an interstate compact with Texas to help control the “influx with respect to illegal immigration that consequently threatens the safety and security of Louisiana citizens.”
Valarie Hodges, also a founding member of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus, expressed confidence in the governor signing the bill and stated working with his staff on the issue.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re having to do this, but if the federal government is not going to do it, then we must take action. That’s what we’re doing through this bill,” she said.
One of the main catalysts for the bill is the national security concern related to the border, as recent instances of migrants entering military bases have been noticed.
The law could soon attract another lawsuit from the Biden administration. So far, the administration has sued Texas, Oklahoma, and Iowa in recent months over their immigration laws.
Republicans have claimed they have to step in amid an ongoing crisis at the southern border which has directly impacted their states. They say the Biden administration has not been doing enough to combat that threat.
Stay tuned for more updates as the bill progresses through the Legislature. The Attorney General is committed to protecting the people of Louisiana from the dangers of illegal immigration, caused by Joe Biden’s open border policies.
