Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed a measure to make illegal entry into the state a state crime, giving law enforcement a potentially pivotal tool to combat illegal immigration on its own amid perceived federal apathy.

The law, which is slated to take effect in March, would empower Texas law enforcement to arrest illegal entrants and grant judges the ability to order their deportation.

Under Abbott’s leadership, Texas has conducted a unilateral effort to enforce its border dubbed “Operation Lone Star” that has prompted legal battles with federal government, including a dispute over the deployment of a buoy barrier in the Rio Grande river.

The governor has further pursued a policy of bussing illegals to sanctuary cities in blue states in a bid to highlight the Biden administration’s lax approach to border enforcement. The scheme cleared more than 50,000 illegals sent to sanctuary cities in October, with more than 18,000 heading to New York City alone.