Migrants cross the Rio Grande from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. A new law makes illegal entry into Texas from a foreign country a state crime. It also authorizes a state judge to order someone to return to Mexico after their arrest. Julian Aguilar/The Texas Newsroom hide caption
A barrier to deter migrants from crossing from Mexico into the U.S. floats in the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass, Texas. Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Two busloads of migrants were also sent to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's home in September. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Matthew McConaughey speaks onstage at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 29, 2020 in New York City. Noam Galai/Getty Images for HISTORY hide caption
Texas state Rep. Jessica González speaks during a news conference early Monday in Austin after House Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the state Legislature and blocked one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S. from passing. Acacia Coronado/AP hide caption
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, seen here donning a mask in September, announced Tuesday he will lift the state's mask mandate. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
A tree is uprooted in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura Thursday in Sabine Pass, Texas. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
A health care worker organizes coronavirus tests that were administered at a United Memorial Medical Center testing site in Houston on June 25. Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
The guidance on this mural in Dallas will apply to most counties in Texas starting Friday, when a new face covering requirement takes effect. LM Otero/AP hide caption
Texas bars such as this one in downtown Austin were allowed to reopen last month. Now the governor is ordering that they close to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Alex Scott/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state will put a hold on further reopening as it contends with rising numbers of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Lynda M. Gonzalez/Pool/Getty Images hide caption
Texas has seen a recent uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases, with a record level of new cases and hospitalizations announced Tuesday. People are seen here Monday along the San Antonio River Walk. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
Texas Gov. Greg Abbot hosts a recent roundtable discussion with victims, families and friends affected by the Santa Fe, Texas, school shooting that killed 10 people earlier this month. People with ties to other recent mass shootings were also invited. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images hide caption
A sign points down the road to the Karolyi Ranch near Hunstville, Texas, in 2015. Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he has ordered a criminal investigation into claims that former doctor Larry Nassar abused athletes at the facility, which served as the training site for the U.S. women's national gymnastics team. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, calls the House of Representatives to order in Austin, Texas in July 2017. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor a joint U.S. Special Forces training taking place in Texas, prompting outrage from some in his own party. Eric Gay/AP hide caption
A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction to President Obama's executive orders on immigration. Earlier this month, Obama met with young immigrants, known as DREAMers, in the Oval Office. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
A sign posted on a roadside fence outside a Dow Chemicals plant in Freeport, Texas. The front-runner for governor, GOP Attorney General Greg Abbott, sparked controversy recently by suggesting citizens should simply go to nearby chemical and fertilizer plants and ask what's being stored there if they are worried about hazardous materials. Pat Sullivan/AP hide caption