Senate committee hears bill to require statewide study on costs and impacts of illegal immigration

Senate lawmakers and state agency officials on the Senate Committee on Border Security heard testimony on Senate Bill 825, a proposal to direct the Office of the Governor to produce a regular study of the economic, environmental and financial impacts of illegal immigration in Texas.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Bryan Middleton, told the committee the measure would “provide lawmakers with comprehensive data driven insights into the economic, environmental and financial impacts of illegal immigration on our state.” Middleton said the study would allow the state to quantify costs and possibly seek federal reimbursement: “We know of at least 6,000,000 who have crossed illegally into our state. And obviously right now we're asking for about $11,000,000,000 reimbursement for Operation Lone Star from the federal government,” he said.

Committee members and public witnesses urged several changes before the panel moves the bill. Several senators and witnesses recommended…