AUSTIN 性视界传媒 A North Texas lawmaker has asked Gov. Greg Abbott to look into sending undocumented migrants incarcerated in the state to a massive prison in El Salvador, similar to the Trump administration性视界传媒檚 decision to send hundreds of people they suspect of being gang members to the mega prison.
Freshman state Rep. David Lowe, R-North Richland Hills, wrote in a Monday letter that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials identified 5,780 people in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities as being in the country illegally.
Keeping those people jailed in Texas is a burden on the state性视界传媒檚 correctional system and costs taxpayers money, Lowe wrote in the letter, which he posted on social media.
性视界传媒淭his overwhelming imbalance compels us to explore innovative and cost-saving alternatives,性视界传媒 Lowe said.
One solution is following President Donald Trump性视界传媒檚 lead. His administration sent 261 people officials suspected were Venezuelan gang members to the megaprison last month.
Texas could save money by mirroring that effort by sending its undocumented inmates to serve out the remainder of their sentences in El Salvador, Lowe wrote. Contracting with that government would alleviate the strain on the state性视界传媒檚 prison system, Lowe added.
Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris did not comment directly on Lowe性视界传媒檚 request but wrote in a statement that the governor supports 性视界传媒渦sing every tool and strategy to aid in the Trump Administration性视界传媒檚 deportation of illegal immigrants.性视界传媒
性视界传媒淭he only reason there are any criminal illegal immigrants in Texas facilities is because President Biden refused to do his job and secure the border, resulting in Texas having to step up and hold the line to ensure the safety of Texans,性视界传媒 he wrote.
Abbott directed state agencies 性视界传媒 including the Texas Department of Criminal Justice 性视界传媒 to assist federal immigration officers. Those in TDCJ custody with ICE detainers are routinely handed off to the federal government for deportation, Mahaleris added.
Trump性视界传媒檚 move sparked outrage from the families of those sent to El Salvador and immigration attorneys over the lack of due process for those sent to the mega prison.
The Trump administration deported the individuals under the Alien Enemies Act, which the administration says gives the president the authority to deport those believed to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang without having to see an immigration judge.
The families of dozens of the people sent to El Salvador have pushed back and disputed claims that those deported are known members of the Venezuelan gang, arguing the accusations are baseless.
A federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration性视界传媒檚 use of the Alien Enemies Act is ongoing. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting anyone else under the act temporarily.
Lowe, who posted the letter on social media, is a freshman lawmaker who represents a district in the northeastern part of Tarrant County.
He addressed the letter to Abbott, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Bryan Collier the executive director of the state性视界传媒檚 criminal justice agency and state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, who oversees the Texas DOGE committee that is responsible for trying to reduce the size and scope of government.
