As reported by the Office of the Texas Governor, the state continues its aggressive measures to fortify its border against drug cartels and criminal activities, with Governor Greg Abbott at the helm of this significant operation. Named Operation Lone Star, this initiative has led to the apprehension of over half a million illegal immigrants and the arrest of over 46,000 criminals facing felony charges. The recent declaration by Governor Abbott, as posted on the official Texas government website, emphasizes Texas' commitment to secure areas like Fronton Island and the continuation of border security efforts previously enacted.
Amidst the efforts, Governor Abbott remains steadfast, vowing to not surrender state land to cartels which use Fronton Island as a base for illegal enterprises. In his letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Abbott said, "I will not cede state land to transnational criminal cartels smuggling people, weapons, and drugs. Nor will I sit idly by as these threats endanger Texas law enforcement and Texas communities." Images shared on social media platforms demonstrate Texas' employment of advanced technology, such as mobile surveillance systems, to aid in these endeavors, according to Office of the Texas Governor.
Texas has reported noteworthy operational triumphs, including the apprehension of illegal immigrants and drug seizures by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and other law enforcement agencies. For example, a DPS trooper in Starr County recently arrested a man for evading arrest and smuggling of persons after a vehicle pursuit resulted in the capture of four illegal immigrants. Similar incidents in Val Verde County and the use of drone technology by the Texas National Guard showcase the ongoing initiatives to clamp down on illegal border crossings and smuggling operations.
On the technological front, Texas National Guard soldiers have been utilizing drones to effectively track and assist in the apprehension of illegal immigrants, demonstrating a cutting edge use of available resources. According to the state government website, these soldiers successfully detained 10 illegal immigrants in a recent operation. Meanwhile, National Guard engineers have relentlessly worked to clear obstacles and strengthen defenses on Fronton Island, ensuring that law enforcement can effectively fight against the criminal elements that threaten the border's security.
These series of actions are a direct counter to what the Abbott administration perceives as the open border policies of the Biden-Harris Administration. With the Texas Governor's office noting a decrease in illegal crossings by 87%, Governor Abbott's aggressive stance on border security seems poised to continue, with Texas leveraging all possible measures to safeguard its border and by extension, as claimed by Abbott, the security of the nation.
