The state of Texas has intensifed its efforts to combat the Venezuelan gang known as Tren De Aragua (TdA), with Governor Greg Abbott at the forefront of the campaign. In a recent appearance on Fox News, Governor Abbott reiterated the state's commitment to make Texas an inhospitable environment for the violent gang, "If [Tren de Aragua] is unchecked, it will just expand terror and carnage that TdA imposes in whatever country they've been in," Abbott said in their website. He made it clear that Texas will use all tools and resources necessary to locate, and incarcerate members of TdA, addressing concerns about the gang's presence and activities in the state.
In line with the state's hardline stance on illegal immigration and crime associated with it, Texas government agencies have released some significant numbers. Under Operation Lone Star, Texas law enforcement has apprehended over 520,600 individuals for illegal entry and arrested more than 47,000 with over 40,800 felony charges levied. In the fight against drugs, the state has seized vast quantities of fentanyl—a staggering 543 million lethal doses, a figure that defies comprehension for both the Texan, and the broader American populace. These actions are a response to what the state views as the federal government's lapse in securing the border, which has led to an array of criminal concerns, including human smuggling evidenced by the recent arrest of Anthony Jhonson in Kenedy County on charges of transporting 16 illegal immigrants crammed in a non-ventilated compartment.
Further showcasing their efforts against illegal immigration, Texas officials highlighted several operations. In one instance near Del Rio, DPS troopers dealt with a group of 124 illegal immigrants, including single adults, unaccompanied children, and families. While most were referred to Border Patrol, 27 faced arrest for criminal trespass. This included a foreign national, Masoumeh Fooladlou of Iran, who was carrying dual passports; she was turned over for further vetting by intelligence specialists.
In addition to personnel, Texas has employed technology to enhance their border operations, using drones for surveillance and aiding in the arrest of illegal immigrants. This week, after drone teams spotted a group near a known high-trafficked area, ground units managed to intercept and arrest three individuals for criminal trespassing, but not without sending one individual back across the Rio Grande. Texas units have also been active in physical border security enhancements, such as the installation of anti-climb barriers and triple strand razor wire in El Paso. As Major Charles Gamero puts, "We are supporting the Governor's intent by placing these barriers and being Texans serving Texans," emphasizing the local commitment to not just state, but national security, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
The work done by Texas extends beyond its own National Guard with collaboration from other states, exemplified by the joint effort with the Louisiana National Guard to reinforce barriers near Eagle Pass. With the backing of nearly half of America's governors, Texas has positioned itself at the vanguard of state-led border security operations, aiming to staunch the flow of illegal immigration that continues to challenge the region's stability and safety.
