Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Wednesday, allowing Department of Public Safety troopers to stop any car they suspect to be transporting illegal immigrants.
The order is aimed at “restricting ground transportation of migrants who pose a risk of carrying COVID-19 into Texas Communities,” and directs troopers to stop and reroute “any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion of such violation.”
"The dramatic rise in unlawful border crossings has also led to a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases among unlawful migrants who have made their way into our state, and we must do more to protect Texans from this virus and reduce the burden on our communities," Abbott said in a statement. "This Executive Order will reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure in our communities."