Texas and North Dakota Pass Immigration Bills

The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 36 to establish a homeland security division within the state's Department of Public Safety, focusing on illegal immigration and organized crime. Advocates argue the bill will centralize operations and enhance security, although some Democrats question its necessity given federal DHS responsibilities. In North Dakota, legislation has been approved to penalize communities with sanctuary policies, although none currently exist in the state. Meanwhile, the Florida Senate has passed the Tristin Murphy Act to provide mental health treatment options for detainees in custody, with bipartisan support. Additionally, Tennessee's Senate approved a bill requiring law enforcement to report interactions with illegal immigrants to the Department of Safety. These legislative moves across states indicate a broader Republican-led effort to tighten immigration enforcement and address security concerns.