Governor Greg Abbott, alongside the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, is continuing efforts to secure the border. This initiative aims to stop drug, weapon, and human smuggling into Texas and combat transnational criminal activities between ports of entry.
Operation Lone Star has resulted in over 530,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 50,000 criminal arrests, with over 43,000 felony charges. In addressing the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized more than 622 million lethal doses of fentanyl. This amount is enough to kill every person in the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined.
The operation claims an 87% reduction in illegal crossings into Texas. Consequently, fewer migrants need transportation to sanctuary cities. Since its inception:
– Over 12,500 migrants have been transported to Washington D.C.
– Over 45,900 to New York City
– Over 36,900 to Chicago
– Over 3,400 to Philadelphia
– Over 19,200 to Denver
– Over 1,500 to Los Angeles
Governor Abbott stated that Operation Lone Star fills gaps left by federal border policies. He shared images on X (formerly Twitter) showing Texas National Guard soldiers reinforcing border barriers along the southern border.
Texas remains the only state constructing its own border wall. Governor Abbott recently posted footage of ongoing construction in Maverick County.
In Webb County this week:
– DPS troopers pursued a GMC Sierra driven by Jose Carranza Jr., who crashed but continued evading arrest until stopped by a tire deflation device. Carranza was arrested for multiple charges including smuggling persons.
– During a traffic stop on IH-35 Webb County, DPS discovered twelve illegal immigrants being smuggled in a semi-trailer. The driver and passenger were arrested for smuggling charges.
Additionally:
– A DPS Brush Team apprehended four Turkish nationals labeled as special interest immigrants guided by an individual from Mexico.
– The Texas National Guard used advanced technology to detect and turn back sixty-two migrants entering illegally from Mexico.
– Nine illegal immigrants were apprehended by the Texas National Guard during routine patrols along the border.
The Texas National Guard conducted Migration Operational Readiness Exercises with DPS and other partners in Mission this week. “We made a clear statement that this is the border,” said Lieutenant Jacob Eggimann regarding their efforts.
