Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, is actively working to secure the border, focusing on stopping drug, weapon, and human smuggling into Texas. The multi-agency effort, known as Operation Lone Star, has resulted in over 521,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 47,400 criminal arrests since its inception. This includes over 41,000 felony charges.

The operation has significantly contributed to combating the fentanyl crisis by seizing over 544 million lethal doses of fentanyl. According to state officials, these measures have led to a decrease in illegal crossings into Texas by over 86%. As part of its transportation program for migrants, Texas has transported thousands of migrants to various cities across the United States.

Governor Abbott criticized the federal government's approach to border security during an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity. He stated that Vice President Kamala Harris's recent interview on CBS 60 Minutes was "disqualifying," adding that "what [the federal government] did was to gut all the policies that President Trump put into place that secured the border."

In recent developments under Operation Lone Star, Governor Abbott announced via social media platform X that a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was arrested in Houston. Abbott emphasized ongoing efforts to arrest known or suspected members of this gang.

The Governor also highlighted efforts by Texas National Guard engineers reinforcing triple-strand razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border and showcased footage of ongoing border wall construction in Maverick County. These measures are aimed at reducing illegal immigration further.

Additionally, DPS Aircraft Operations Division Pilots observed a Dodge Charger involved in human smuggling activities in Hidalgo County. After a high-speed chase and subsequent arrest maneuvers, Juan Xavier Rodriguez was taken into custody for smuggling persons and evading arrest.

The Texas National Guard drone team played a crucial role last week by aiding law enforcement partners in seizing over 45 pounds of narcotics during overnight operations. The team alerted ground personnel who responded promptly leading to arrests and seizure of marijuana.

High-tech systems such as Mobile Modular Sensor Suite (M2S2) and drones continue to be employed by Texas National Guard soldiers along the southern border for enhanced surveillance and tracking capabilities.