Austin, Texas - The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill that would make it a new state crime to cross the border from Mexico into the US without documentation.

In the early hours of Thursday, House Bill 4 passed out of the GOP-controlled lower chamber in an 84-60 vote. The legislation would allow local law enforcement to issue charges to undocumented immigrants and even remove them from the state.

Under the bill, a first-time offender could be given up to 180 days behind bars. Repeat violations could result in a felony punishment and up to two years in prison.

HB 4 is Texas Republicans' latest effort to take control of immigration law enforcement, despite US court rulings saying the federal government has sole jurisdiction in such matters.

Borderlands residents are already experiencing militarization of their communities, incessant ID checks often motivated by racial profiling, and increased coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Many US citizens of Mexican descent say they have to carry their passports with them whenever they leave the house, fearing they may be detained by border patrol or police officers.

The situation in borderlands communities is only expected to worsen if HB 4 is signed into law.

Immigrants' rights advocates warn the measure could also leave undocumented people even more vulnerable if they are prevented from safely reporting crimes and abuses against them.

The bill could take effect as early as December 1, 2023, if it passes out of the Senate and gets the green light from far-right Governor Greg Abbott.