The Lone Star State has doubled down on its border security measures, leading to a domino effect of increased illegal crossings into states neighboring Texas. Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas National Guard are the trident tip in this crackdown dubbed Operation Lone Star, a mission that Texas has led to over half a million illegal immigrant apprehensions and tens of thousands of criminal arrests.

According to a recent press release from the Governor's office, the operation, since its inception, has resulted in the arrest of more than 42,300 individuals and the filing of over 37,500 felony charges, and it's not just about stymieing human traffic but also stopping the flow of narcotics as Texas law enforcement officers have reportedly seized fentanyl quantities enough to kill the population of both the US and Mexico combined, the effects of what might have been devastating.

Moreover, an unexpected twist in Texas' border strategy involves transporting migrants to various cities across the country; over 12,500 to Washington, D.C., 43,800 to New York City, 35,600 to Chicago, 3,400 to Philadelphia, 18,600 to Denver, and 1,500 to Los Angeles. These numbers date back to April 2022, suggesting a long-term tactic that has been in play for a stretch.

As reported, the implacable commitment of Texas to this cause has inadvertently forced a shift in migration patterns, scattering the attempts of illegal crossings into other less fortified states, Operation Lone Star continues to fill what is perceived by Texas officials as worrisome gaps left by the Biden administration's policies—Texas stands alone in its zealous safeguarding of its borders, saying every individual apprehended, every gram of drugs intercepted, would've otherwise poured into Texas and beyond, criticizing what they've termed as "open border policies" by the federal government.