Texas has approved a law criminalizing border crossings, marking one of the most stringent immigration measures in recent US history. Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, emphasized its role in halting the "tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas."

Critics, including immigration advocates, argue that the law may result in racial profiling.

The controversial legislation, known as SB4, is set to take effect in March and empowers local and state law enforcement to detain individuals suspected of crossing the border unlawfully, excluding schools and hospitals.

Penalties range from misdemeanors to felonies, carrying potential jail sentences and fines up to $2,000. The law could face legal challenges and has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers and the Mexican government.

In October, Sarah Mehta, senior border policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, said that "laws like these result in the unlawful racial profiling, arrest and detention of both US citizens and immigrants".

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández said that "generally speaking, the federal government - not individual states - is charged with determining how and when to remove noncitizens for violating immigration laws".

The BBC has contacted the justice department - which would be responsible for filing any federal legal action against Texas - for comment.

Border and immigration issues have become a political headache for President Biden.

During the 2022 fiscal year that ended in September, a total of 2.4m migrant "encounters" were registered at the border, a record high.

Republicans lawmakers have sought to use US military aid to Ukraine as leverage to secure policies to crack down on illegal immigration.

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