(Radio Iowa) – The governor of Texas has signed a law that allows state officials to arrest those who illegally cross the state border. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he hasn’t seen the Texas law yet, and says illegal immigration is something the federal government should handle.

“Isn’t this a perfect example of just the mess that this administration’s caused because they aren’t enforcing law?,” Grassley asks. “In other words, enforcing the law this way. You can enter the United States without our permission. So everybody that waves across the river to get to the United States is entering our country illegally.” Grassley, a Republican, says some of those who are entering the country add to the concern of illegal immigration.

“When you have 169 people that are on the terrorist watch list, come to this country maybe to do damage to our country, to threaten the lives of Americans, it’s a national security issue as much as it is a borders security issue, as much as it is a violation of our sovereignty if we have any sovereignty, which I don’t think gab when you have a open border,” Grassley says.

Grassley made his comments on a conference call for reporters.