Squatting in Texas is Becoming More Common

Squatting is becoming more of an issue in the Lone Star State.

The number of squatting incidents is becoming a growing problem in every one of the state's major municipalities. Even some of the state's smaller towns and cities are dealing with squatters.

Under many of the state's laws, squatters are presumed to have “rights” to occupy a property. It's possible that property owners who try and deal with squatters by making them "self-evict" could face legal trouble.

James Quintero with the Texas Public Policy Foundation said there's no such things as "squatter's rights."

"No one has a right to something they don't own or possess," said Quintero.

He added that the left is trying to undermine the situation by using the phrase "squatter's rights" and not being for the homeowner.

"I think most of us would agree that squatter's don't have rights, only property owners have rights," Quintero said. "I think it's important to understand the framing that the left is attempting to use in this issue."

Quintero, who's testified before the state Senate Committee on Local Government on the squatting issue, said there's also a link between the open southern border and the rise in squatting incidents in Texas.

"The uptick in squatting incidents are related to the open borders that we are all currently living under," he said.

Squatters have been able to find success in their specific areas thanks to some social media advocacy. More people have been able to learn how to cheat the system and squat in a place by learning from other squatters on social media sites.

Quintero called the laws in Texas that are against squatting "weak" and don't protect homeowners enough.


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