Delegates to the 2026 GOP convention in Houston have made border security a priority for the 2027 legislative session.
In the GOP committee report, delegates outlined how Texas would further secure the southern border from incursion by illegal aliens.
The security directives detailed increased cooperation with local law enforcement, stronger penalties for officials who interfere with law enforcement operations, enhanced border operations, prohibitions on employing visa workers in governmental organizations, ending incentives for illegal crossings, and a remittance tax.
Republicans are seeking to increase local cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, through the 287(g) program. The 287(g) program grants ICE the authority to delegate designated immigration enforcement actions to state and local law enforcement officers on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.
Under a 2025 state law, county sheriffs have until December 1 to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. However, the GOP is seeking to require maximum participation in the program. Currently, county sheriffs can pick one of the three 287(g) programs, but the GOP is seeking to require counties to participate in all three.
Republicans also want to empower the Texas attorney general to prosecute local government officials who interfere with immigration enforcement via sanctuary policies.
The party report also outlined the creation of a dedicated border protection unit to strengthen border security and enhance state security. While Senate Bill 36 took effect on September 1, 2025, and created a Homeland Security task force within the Texas Department of Public Safety, Republicans still want to strengthen it.
The party also wants to mandate E-Verify for all Texas employers, with significant penalties for noncompliance. E-Verify is a free online service provided by the federal government that verifies whether a potential employee is able to work in the United States.
Republicans are also seeking a ban on state and local governments employing foreign visa workers as well as a ban on the use of contractors that employ visa holders.
The GOP is further moving to eliminate all current nonemergency incentives for illegal entry to the United States. This includes access to in-state tuition, enrollment in public schools, and denial of taxpayer-funded incentives to corporations that employ illegal aliens or foreign visa holders. This would include suspending the Texas Enterprise Fund for companies that employ foreign visa holders. The TEF incentivizes companies to build infrastructure in the state by awarding “deal-closing” cash grants.
While Texas ended in-state tuition for illegal aliens, the state has yet to challenge the current Supreme Court precedent that requires states to fund public education for illegal alien children.
Finally, Republicans are attempting to place remittances on cash and app-based transfers of funds to foreign nations. The money received from the remittances would directly fund further immigration enforcement action.
The next legislative session will begin January 12, 2027.
