Camila Francisco
Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered a stern admonition this week directed at squatters within the state.
“In Texas, anyone ‘squatting’ in your home is breaking the law,” Abbott emphasized in a post on X, previously known as Twitter. “They are criminals violating TX laws like criminal trespass & criminal mischief (Tex. Penal Code 30.05 & 28.03).”
“Also, the Texas Castle Doctrine empowers Texans to use force to defend themselves & their property,” he underscored.
Abbott’s declaration emerges amidst an ongoing discourse concerning the rights of squatters versus property owners across the United States.
In recent weeks, numerous states have witnessed incidents where homeowners endeavor to expel squatters from their premises.
The American Apartment Owners Association defines a squatter as an individual who occupies a piece of land or property without legal authorization, residing there without paying rent and lacking lawful documentation asserting ownership.
Newsweek sought comment from Abbott’s office via email.
On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterized squatting as a “local issue,” stressing the necessity for local authorities to intervene.
She articulated, “My understanding is that [squatting] is obviously a local issue. We are certainly tracking that issue. The rights of property owners and renters must be protected, and we believe that ultimately, what needs to happen, is the local government needs to make sure that they address this and [that] they take action.”
Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers and a former federal prosecutor, urged lawmakers nationwide to toughen penalties against squatters and expedite eviction processes.
“Laws that protect lawful tenants shouldn’t be used to shield individuals who never possessed a legal right to the property,” Rahmani emphasized.
“Squatters should be evicted then jailed if they break into a home and stay there because they provide a fake lease or other fraudulent documentation,” Rahmani asserted.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled new legislation to combat squatting within the state, proposing heightened penalties against squatters and granting homeowners the authority to enlist law enforcement assistance in their removal endeavors.
“We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida. While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system,” DeSantis declared.
