The State of Texas continues to push for federal intervention against the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, with Governor Greg Abbott leading the charge. Citing recent atrocities, including the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, Governor Abbott slammed Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Houston for her open border policies. According to an official statement by the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott demanded that Tren de Aragua be designated as a foreign terrorist organization and for the federal government to take decisive action.
In a pressing effort to safeguard the border, Operation Lone Star has reportedly led to the arrest of over 48,200 criminals and the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl. Despite these efforts, Governor Abbott told the press that crossings are down by 88% in Texas. Simultaneously, the Governor criticized federal efforts—or the lack thereof—stating that "Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to open border policies." Moreover, the transportation program has relocated migrants to various sanctuary cities across the country, with over 19,200 migrants sent to Denver since May 2023, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Amid a social media spotlight, Governor Abbott revealed on X, a platform formerly known as Twitter, further expansions to Texas' border wall, credited with aiding the decrease in illegal crossings. The border wall, alongside other security measures, is claimed to lead to an 88% reduction in illegal crossings in Texas, contrasting with increases in border states like Arizona and California, as per the Office of the Texas Governor.
Striving for heightened vigilance, the state released an updated Texas' Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List, catching the attention of Governor Abbott. After launching the list in June, DPS scored significant captures, including "the No. 1 most wanted criminal illegal immigrant in Tarrant County, a violent criminal in Houston, and another dangerous fugitive in Round Rock," as the Governor highlighted on X. In tandem with these efforts, Texas law enforcement continues to actively fight human smuggling, as evidenced by recent incidents in Val Verde and Webb County, where individuals were charged with smuggling of persons, as mentioned by the Office of the Texas Governor.
The collaborative efforts of the Texas National Guard and law enforcement agencies are ongoing, with recent operations resulting in the apprehension of illegal immigrants and significant narcotics seizures, boasting an apprehension of 10 illegal immigrants and confiscation of narcotics with a street value exceeding $120,000. The Texas Military Base in Eagle Pass, developed to bolster the state's border response, continues its expansion, providing facilities for the Guard's soldiers involved in these ongoing security measures.
