Venezuelan and Nicaraguan migrants are transferred by agents of the Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande river from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico to El Paso, Texas, US to ask for political asylum on December 27, 2022
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Republican Rep. Matt Schaefer, from Tyler, an area in east Texas near the Louisiana border, introduced House Bill 20, a border security bill to repel and arrest migrants crossing the Mexico border, which is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, April 12.

The bill was recently featured in Human Right Watch and described as a vigilante bill similar to a wild wild west comeback and an extreme proposed bill to cause concern.

"Operation Lone Star and Texas’ new immigration proposals are extreme among states in the U.S. and among countries in the world," Bob Libal told Human Rights Watch, adding that "giving Texas police power to vigilantes is dangerous."

The bill would act as an in-state border protection unit that would allow officers of the unit to have the authority to arrest, detain and deter individuals crossing the border illegally, including non-deadly force. The unit would also allow civilians without a felony to join the unit.

"Within the State of Texas, officers of the unit may, to the extent consistent with the Constitution and federal law, arrest, detain, and deter individuals crossing the border illegally, including with the use of non-deadly force," a portion of HB 20 reads. Adding, that "officers will have immunity from criminal and civil liability for any actions taken."

The bill states that a "Unit Chief" would be hired for the leadership role that would solely answer to the governor and act as a means to detour illegal migrants from bringing in opioids and fentanyl into the country along with derailing migrants from destroying homeowner property along the border counties.

The unit would also oversee the construction and maintenance of the "wall" and other physical barriers planned to be built along the border with Mexico "to enhance safety and security." In addition, the bill would also claim authority for Texas to deny entry on public health grounds similar to Title 42.

The bill would create a third-degree felony charge of criminal trespass with a minimum $10,000 fine.

"No matter how hard leadership may want to stop immigration it's not going to stop," Chelsie Kramer, the Texas organizer for the American Immigration Council told the Texas Tribune. "Instead, we should be looking for ways to use the population coming to the U.S. to bolster our economy."

Rep. Matt Schaefer was contacted for comment on the bill on April 3; as of April 10, he has yet to respond.