The new law makes illegally entering the country a state crime, a misdemeanor. A peace officer, which is broadly defined and can include such people as local police officers and security officers of the state medical board, can inquire about a person’s citizenship and immigrant status if they think they have entered the U.S. illegally. If so, a magistrate can order them out of the country.
What do you mean, “How long?”
If I were a Hispanic-looking guy living or traveling through Texas, American citizen or not, I’d have my birth certificate and passport ready to go.
Good point. Of course, the next question would be: How long until a police officer arrests a Latino American despite them having their papers and confiscates the papers claiming that they are “forgeries?”
(If the 2017-present has taught us anything, it’s to never underestimate how cruel and corrupt people in power can be.)