Texas Governor Greg Abbott has outlined the state's efforts to enhance border security. As reported, Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency initiative, claims to have made over 527,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 49,000 criminal arrests. The operation's efforts have seized over 573 million lethal doses of fentanyl, which Abbott's office says could kill every person in the United States and Mexico combined. In a statement, Governor Abbott's office touted the operation's impact, saying illegal crossings into Texas have dropped by over 87%, subsequently reducing the number of migrants transported to so-called sanctuary cities across the nation. According to the Governor's office, Texas has transported over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C., and more than 45,900 to New York City since the start of the transportation program.
Moreover, in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Governor Abbott and incoming U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan served meals to hundreds of Operation Lone Star personnel, acknowledging their hard work. "Someone has to stand up for the rule of law, and the people who do that are the men and women of the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety," Abbott said in the press release. Homan also lauded Texas for its border security measures, expressing the intention to nationwide apply the model implemented by Operation Lone Star.
Furthermore, the week showcased the first apprehension made by DPS' new Border Mounted Patrol Unit in Maverick County, emphasizing the expansion of the state's law enforcement capacities. In another instance in Maverick County, DPS troopers encountered a group of 176 illegal immigrants and arrested 85 for criminal trespass while referring the rest, including 11 of special interest from Afghanistan, to Border Patrol. A Thanksgiving incident involved a high-speed pursuit in Starr County, resulting in the arrests of 18 illegal immigrants and the smuggler involved after an abandoned pursuit.
Throughout the week, Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers continued to intensively train together to better secure the border. "During the multi-agency training, Operation Lone Star partners worked together on implementing turnback tactics to secure key terrain for high traffic areas along the border," as stated in the press release. Meanwhile, Texas National Guard drone teams effectively partnered with ground forces to literally turn back migrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River.
Additionally, the Texas National Guard has been actively collaborating with local law enforcement agencies. This cooperation facilitates data collection, information sharing, and tactical responses to illegal crossings at the southern border. "Every little bit helps, making sure that no criminals or anyone of that sort get across into the United States of America," Sgt. Ethan Nguyen of Task Force West stated, according to a press release from the Governor's office.
