San Antonio

Operation Lone Star, Texas Claims Over 54,300 Criminal Arrests, Half a Million Immigrant Apprehensions

AI Assisted Icon
Published on June 07, 2025
Operation Lone Star, Texas Claims Over 54,300 Criminal Arrests, Half a Million Immigrant ApprehensionsSource: Google Street View

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's controversial border security initiative, Operation Lone Star, has reached new milestones with state officials reporting over 54,300 criminal arrests and more than half a million immigrant apprehensions since its launch in March 2021. The multi-billion dollar program continues to spark intense debate over its effectiveness, costs, and impact on border communities across the state.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the joint operation between DPS and the Texas National Guard has led to over 530,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and resulted in more than 50,000 criminal arrests, with more than 43,000 felony charges reported. The state also claims to have seized over 622 million lethal doses of fentanyl, though critics have raised questions about how these statistics are compiled and whether they accurately reflect the operation's direct impact.

Key Officials and Leadership

Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star on March 6, 2021, citing what he described as the federal government's failure to secure the border under President Biden. The operation is overseen by DPS Director Steven McCraw and Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer, who coordinate the deployment of state troopers and National Guard members along the Texas-Mexico border.

As reported by the National Immigration Forum, Abbott justified the project by "denouncing Biden Administration policies that refuse to secure the border and invite illegal immigration." The governor has repeatedly framed the operation as necessary to fill gaps left by federal enforcement.

Financial Impact and Local Strain

The financial burden of Operation Lone Star has become a major point of contention. According to The Texas Tribune, the operation costs taxpayers approximately $2.5 million per week and has consumed over $11 billion in state resources since its inception. These costs have strained local governments, particularly border counties that must house and process arrestees.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego recently signed a disaster declaration after the county accumulated millions in unreimbursed costs from housing Operation Lone Star detainees. Border Report notes that the county has housed up to 400 Operation Lone Star detainees at times, with a sustained rate of 300 per day, costing $85-87 daily per detainee without state reimbursement.

Controversial Tactics and Civil Rights Concerns

Human rights organizations have raised serious concerns about Operation Lone Star's methods and impact. The ACLU of Texas released a report showing that the operation "has primarily arrested people accused of low-level offenses like trespassing, rather than drug-related offenses, human smuggling, or weapon charges." The organization also found that 75% of those arrested for drug, human smuggling, and weapons offenses were U.S. citizens rather than migrants.

According to Human Rights Watch, vehicle pursuits connected to Operation Lone Star resulted in at least 74 deaths and 189 injuries between March 2021 and July 2023. Some victims were innocent bystanders, including children under 10 years old.

Historical Context and Similar Operations

Operation Lone Star represents the latest in a series of state-led border security initiatives dating back nearly two decades. As detailed by The Marshall Project, former Governor Rick Perry launched Operation Linebacker in October 2005, claiming terrorist groups were attempting to exploit the border. Perry continued with multiple operations throughout his tenure, often coinciding with election cycles.

These historical operations established a pattern of state intervention in border security, with each successive initiative expanding in scope and cost. Perry's operations typically involved hundreds of DPS troopers and limited National Guard training support, while Abbott's Operation Lone Star has deployed up to 10,000 National Guard members at its peak.

Recent Trends and Border Dynamics

Immigration patterns along the U.S.-Mexico border have shifted significantly in recent years. Pew Research Center reports that Border Patrol encounters dropped 77% from a record high of 249,741 in December 2023 to 58,038 in August 2024. This decline has occurred across all border states, not just Texas.

According to WOLA, while Texas has seen an 86% decrease in apprehensions since December 2023, Arizona experienced a similar 85% decline, suggesting that factors beyond Operation Lone Star may be driving these trends. Experts point to increased enforcement by Mexican authorities and changes in federal policies as contributing factors.

Legal and Political Implications

The operation has faced numerous legal challenges regarding its constitutionality and treatment of migrants. Defense attorneys have reported due process violations, with some migrants held for weeks without charges or legal representation. The Texas Tribune has documented cases where trespassing charges were dismissed after migrants revealed they were marched onto private property by state troopers.

As Texas enters a new political era with the Trump administration, Governor Abbott has indicated plans to transfer Operation Lone Star infrastructure to federal control. In a recent interview, Abbott suggested the state could hand over "more than 50 miles of constructed border wall, nearly 20 miles of planned border walls, 100 miles of easements to build more walls, over 2,000 military beds for National Guardsmen and 4,000 jail cells to detain migrants."

Looking Forward

As Operation Lone Star continues to evolve, its long-term impact on Texas communities, state finances, and immigration patterns remains unclear. A University of Houston survey found that while a majority of Texans support increased border security funding, opinions remain deeply divided along partisan, generational, and racial lines about the appropriate approach to immigration enforcement.

The debate over Operation Lone Star reflects broader national tensions about immigration policy, state versus federal authority, and the balance between security concerns and humanitarian considerations. As the program enters its fifth year, these fundamental questions about Texas's role in immigration enforcement show no signs of resolution.