Jerry asks: “When Texas becomes an independent country, what sovereign control will Texas have over its borders and immigration policy?”
Bottom line: An independent Texas will have complete, permanent control over its borders and immigration policy. No more federal interference. No more policies that change with each election in Washington.
Jerry, your question cuts to the heart of why Texans deserve better than the current system. Right now, immigration policy gets decided by bureaucrats in Washington who have never lived along the Rio Grande or understood Texas’s economic needs and challenges.
Under international law, specifically the Montevideo Convention, an independent nation-state possesses four key attributes: permanent population, defined territory, government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. That last point means Texas will control who enters our territory and under what conditions.
Texas already meets three of those four criteria. We have 30 million residents, clear borders, and a functioning government. What we lack is full sovereignty—the missing piece that TEXIT will provide.
The Brexit Precedent
When Britain left the European Union, they immediately regained control over their borders. Brexit ended EU free movement and allowed the UK to design its own immigration system. The same principle applies to Texas independence—we would withdraw from federal jurisdiction and exercise our own border authority.
The difference is that Texas faces far more serious border challenges than Britain ever did. Texas received at least 550,000 extra immigrants during recent border surges, straining infrastructure and resources. An independent Texas could design immigration policies that actually match our capacity and economic needs.
What This Means Practically
As an independent nation, Texas would establish its own immigration laws, border security forces, and entry requirements. We could create work visa programs that serve Texas industries without depending on federal bureaucrats who don’t understand our economy. Currently, immigrants comprise 22% of the Texas workforce—but under federal rules that often make no sense for our state.
Texas would negotiate border agreements with neighboring countries as equals, not as a subordinate state begging Washington for permission. We could establish our own customs procedures, immigration courts, and enforcement priorities based on Texas values and Texas needs.
The Montevideo Convention establishes that “the political existence of the state is independent of recognition by other states.” This means Texas sovereignty exists based on our ability to govern ourselves, not on whether Washington approves.
No More Federal Failures
Consider the current mess. Texas reduced illegal border crossings by 72% through state-led Operation Lone Star—proving we can secure our border even when constrained by federal interference. But these improvements remain vulnerable to the next federal administration’s policy changes.
Independence makes Texas border security permanent. No more watching effective policies get reversed by politicians in Washington who face different political pressures than we do.
Article I, Section 2 of the Texas Constitution declares that “All political power is inherent in the people.” Texans have the right to determine our own immigration and border policies without federal oversight.
International Recognition
Modern international law recognizes that states must possess defined territory, permanent population, government, and capacity for international relations. An independent Texas would immediately begin negotiating bilateral agreements on border management, trade, and immigration with Mexico, the United States, and other nations.
These would be agreements between sovereign equals, not federal mandates imposed on Texas by Washington bureaucrats. Texas could finally implement what TNM President Daniel Miller calls “sane and sensible immigration policy coupled with strong border security.
The Bottom Line
Jerry, when Texas achieves independence, we gain what every sovereign nation possesses: complete control over our borders, immigration policy, and national security. No more federal interference. No more policies that change with each election cycle in Washington.
Texas would design immigration systems that serve our economy, respect our infrastructure capacity, and reflect our values. We could welcome those who want to contribute to Texas while maintaining the security our families deserve.
That’s the difference between being a state and being a nation. States beg Washington for permission. Nations make their own decisions.
