Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed legislation that will allow state law enforcement to arrest and prosecute individuals suspected of illegally crossing the United States border. The bill‚ which gives local judges authority to order those arrested leave the country‚ will likely set up a legal battle between Texas and the federal government on immigration powers. BREAKING: Governor Greg Abbott signs a bill making it a state crime to enter Texas illegally — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 18‚ 2023 Now that Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill making it a state crime to enter Texas illegally and pledged funds to defend the border… How long until the Biden administration takes Texas to court to fight to remain treasonous by keeping the border wide open? — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) December 18‚ 2023 The Hill reports: Abbott signed the law‚ which will be enacted in March‚ during a ceremony in Brownsville‚ Texas in front of the border wall on Monday evening. He cited the increasing numbers of migrant encounters as the reason for signing the legislation and is just his latest move to address immigration at the state level. “The goal of Senate Bill 4 is to stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas. It creates a criminal offense for illegal entry into Texas from a foreign nation for repeat offenders‚ that creates the events of illegal reentry with a potential prison sentence term of up to 20 years‚” Abbott said at the bill signing ceremony. “The bill provides a mechanism to order an illegal immigrant to return to the foreign nation from which they entered‚” he added. This new law will let any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest those who are suspected of entering the country illegally. After being arrested‚ they will either agree to a judge’s order making them leave the U.S. or be charged on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry under the new law. The federal government is responsible for immigration policy‚ however‚ Abbott and other state officials have said that the Biden administration is not doing enough to address the situation at the border. Not everyone is convinced the legislation will make a difference on the border crisis. JUST IN: Governor Greg Abbott just signed a bill making it a state crime to enter Texas illegally. Meanwhile‚ it’s already illegal to enter Texas through the Mexico border illegally… So not really sure what this accomplishes… but ok! — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) December 18‚ 2023 Not a damn thing will change after Abbott made it a State crime for illegals to enter Texas. BP will still cut the barbed wire and open the gates for them! USELESS! pic.twitter.com/1YABPnnZs2 — ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) December 18‚ 2023 The Associated Press added: Abbott‚ who signed the new law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville‚ predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by “well over 50%‚ maybe 75%.” “The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels‚ they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas‚” Abbott said. Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s authority over immigration‚ saying President Joe Biden’s administration isn’t doing enough to control the 1‚950-mile (3‚149-kilometer) southern border. Texas has bused more than 65‚000 migrants to cities across America since August 2022 and recently installed razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande‚ which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers. The U.S. government on Monday temporarily shut down two railroad border crossings in Texas to shift officers to helping process migrants. Rail operators said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso would hamper trade ahead of Christmas. Troy Miller‚ U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s acting commissioner‚ said authorities are seeing “unprecedented” arrivals at the border‚ topping 10‚000 crossings on some days this month. The railway closures are a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains‚ particularly over the last week. Legal experts say the new Texas measure violates the U.S. government’s purview over immigration enforcement‚ and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law‚ known as Senate Bill 4.