Some Texas lawmakers are getting new information on efforts to protect the southern border.
During a state Senate Committee Border Security meeting today, they heard testimonies from residents along the border and those dealing with the immigration legal system.
We also heard from a District Attorney who represents several border counties about the struggles they face to get human smuggling cases prosecuted in a timely manner.
“Its really hard to get someone who is a starter baby prosecutor and tell them you’re going to have hundreds of smuggling cases,” said District Attorney Tonya Alschwede. “Some of these cases are going to have smuggling cases involving death, so we have tried to make a border prosecution unit where we can share some of those resources, and we have expert lawyers who can go from one jurisdiction to another, where we can cover the need. But, it is very difficult to maintain and get lawyers in those positions for the amount of pay.”
The hearing also addressed where SB4 stands in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the latest on the lawsuits involving the barbed wire and buoys.
State attorneys say the decision for these cases is expected in the coming months, although a decision is not expected to be finalized before the next legislative session.