by Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr

 

We may not sit on the southern border, but here in House District 13, we’re living with the fallout. Major highways cut through our communities, making our small towns a direct route for smugglers, traffickers, and cartel operations. The chaos at the border doesn’t stop at the Rio Grande — it reaches right into the heart of rural Texas.

Under President Biden, we were left to fend for ourselves. Federal enforcement was gutted. Our law enforcement officers were undermined. Families across Texas bore the cost of open-border policies that invited chaos. Thankfully, that chapter is over.

Now, with President Trump back in office, Texas once again has a partner in Washington who takes the border crisis seriously. This legislative session, we matched that leadership with one of the strongest border security packages in Texas history.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I helped allocate an additional $6.5 billion to secure the border. That includes $1 billion for repairs to the border wall, funding to hire additional DPS troopers, long-term support for surveillance systems, and grants for anti-gang operations.

I also co-authored House Concurrent Resolution 40, calling on the federal government to reimburse Texas for the billions we’ve spent under Operation Lone Star. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the House recently passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes $12 billion in border state reimbursements — a major win for Texas taxpayers. We’re pushing to see that funding finalized in the Senate, and I’ll keep pushing until Texas taxpayers get every dollar they deserve.

We passed Senate Bill 36 to create the Homeland Security Division within the Department of Public Safety, giving Texas a more coordinated and rapid-response approach to security threats. I also supported Senate Bill 659, which increases penalties for the smuggling of persons — because criminal networks are using our highways to move people like cargo, and Texas is shutting them down.

Texas is also leading with compassion for the victims of human trafficking. Senate Bill 958 gives victims the opportunity to seal certain nonviolent offenses from their criminal records. When someone escapes that kind of exploitation, they deserve a chance to rebuild — not a permanent sentence for crimes tied to their abuse.

We also passed House Bill 742, which expands training for first responders and hospital workers to recognize the signs of trafficking and act quickly. It even protects whistleblowers inside medical facilities who speak up when they suspect someone is being victimized. That kind of frontline vigilance can save lives.

I want to personally thank our sheriffs and law enforcement officers here in District 13. You may not wear the uniform of a border patrol agent, but you’re doing the work — day in and day out — to keep Texans safe. Whether it’s intercepting smugglers, seizing drugs, or working with federal partners, your dedication is deeply appreciated. I see it, and I’m grateful for it.

With strong leadership in Washington, bold action in Austin, and unwavering commitment from law enforcement, I truly believe we can turn the tide. That’s why I support Governor Abbott’s call for 100% operational control of the Texas border — and I believe with President Trump back in office and Texas leading the charge, that goal is within reach.

Texas isn’t backing down.

Thank you for reading my weekly column! Make sure you stay connected and informed about the legislative process by calling our Capitol office at (512) 463-0600 or by following my social media page at www.facebook.com/AngeliaOrrForTX.

– Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr