This blog is part of our 89th Legislative Session Recap series. Click here to learn more about how the bills passed this session will affect you & your community.
Official Bill Caption
Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.
What it Does
SB 8 commands Texas sheriffs to enter into agreements with ICE that authorize their employees and contractors to enforce federal immigration law, including serving immigration warrants and questioning individuals about their immigration status both in jail and in the field. The mandate applies to sheriffs of counties that operate a jail or contract with a vendor to operate a jail.
Sheriffs signing the agreements must allocate resources to their new immigration enforcement duties. SB 8 does not guarantee them any additional funding, but allows the comptroller to accept gifts, grants, and donations to establish and administer a grant program to fund the duties. It also allows the Attorney General to sue any sheriff who fails to comply with SB 8. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Why it Matters
When local law enforcement officers are forced to act as immigration agents, it erodes community trust, making everyone less safe and discouraging people from reporting violent crimes or seeking help in emergencies. Immigrants’ rights advocates also fear that SB 8 will lead to racial profiling of Black and brown people. Further, this unfunded mandate may divert much-needed resources from public safety measures toward immigration enforcement.
As of August 2024, Gov. Greg Abbott has chosen to spend 11 billion taxpayer dollars to deploy DPS and state troopers to our border communities—further subjecting our communities of color to over-policing instead of prioritizing investment in our border region. By signing SB 8, Abbott is directing local sheriffs to participate in federal immigration efforts that are indiscriminately targeting our communities.
What’s Next
Tell your state and federal legislators we need to invest in real public safety solutions that unite communities rather than forcing sheriffs to do ICE’s job and enacting policies that profile our neighbors and separate families. You can also support organizations in your area that provide support for immigrant communities.
