Texas authorities have expansively interpreted a 2024 law that imposes a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence on people convicted under the state's smuggling law. Although “smuggling of persons” sounds like a serious offense, the law is overbroad and sweeping in ways that could endanger Texans who are participating in the activities of everyday life in their communities. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Detention Watch Network (DWN), and AJA Advocacy Solutions issued this report highlighting the law’s harm. The brief states that most people prosecuted for smuggling in Texas are young US citizens. Texas law enforcement officers have a troubled track record with identifying alleged smugglers, and now the state has raised the stakes of each arrest significantly.