Texas has arrested migrants on trespassing charges, according to new report

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- According to a new report by the Associated Press, thousands of migrants have been arrested for trespassing since 2021.

The AP reports 10,000 migrants have been arrested on misdemeanor trespassing charges under Gov. Abbott's "arrest and jail" operation. Texas started the operation two years ago to arrest migrants for trespassing.

According to the Office of the Texas Governor, since the launch of Operation Lone Star, officers have made more than 30,000 criminal arrests and apprehended 386,000 migrants.

In March, a new Texas law will allow police officers to arrest migrants who have entered the state illegally. Additionally, local judges will have the authority to order them out of the country.

Alexis Lucero, an El Paso immigration defense lawyer, said these type of trespassing cases in our region are rare. He said he has only seen three since 2021.

"We tend to see the images of migrants in large mass and huge lines coming from the Mexico side entering the United States, those places where migrants still prefer to enter tend to be under federal jurisdiction," Lucero said.

The attorney said this initiative was mostly targeting rural areas of the state. Lucero explained popular areas for migrants to enter the country are urban regions.

"When people turn themselves in to immigration authorities, it's very rare that immigration authorities will refer or quote unquote, press charges against these people," he said.

Migrants who enter through U.S. properties can face misdemeanor trespassing charges. Lucero explained migrants can face up to six months in prison and receive a fine. After the trespasser is arrested, an investigation is initiated.

Lucero also explained after criminal proceedings take place, migrants will also face an immigration process.

"Migrants do understand that there is a very difficult web of situations that could get them arrested, either for legal entry under federal law or an illegal entry under state law."

He said this initiative is not making a large difference when it comes to stopping illegal crossings.

"In general, these laws, for example, that are passed at the state level, they create a lot of confusion and a lot of fear with a lot of families. And although that has a very chilling effect in terms of people wanting to attempt to cross it and present themselves to immigration officials, they don't tend to really affect the overall numbers," Lucero explained.