Governor Greg Abbott, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, continues collaboration with the Trump Administration to secure the border and combat smuggling activities. This joint effort is part of Operation Lone Star, which has resulted in over 531,400 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 50,900 criminal arrests since its inception. Additionally, law enforcement in Texas has seized over 625 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this mission.
The operation has reportedly decreased illegal crossings into Texas by over 90%. As a result, fewer migrants are being transported to sanctuary cities. The state’s transportation program has moved thousands of migrants to various cities across the United States since its commencement.
Operation Lone Star aims to address issues attributed to what Governor Abbott describes as damage from the Biden Administration's policies. The initiative includes recent actions such as installing additional buoys in the Rio Grande River despite opposition from federal authorities. These floating marine barriers are intended to deter illegal crossings.
In a separate incident last week, DPS troopers arrested Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez in Webb County for smuggling persons after a traffic stop revealed he was transporting illegal immigrants. Montoya-Alvarez was also wanted for sexual assault charges in Harris County.
Earlier this month, two criminal fugitives were arrested by DPS in Hidalgo and El Paso counties. Armando Alonso-Cortez was apprehended for charges related to sexual assault of a child while Carlos Daniel Espinoza-Arguello faced a removal order and was involved in an investigation concerning similar charges.
In Cameron County, DPS teams intercepted three Mexican nationals smuggling 187 pounds of narcotics across the Rio Grande River. The smugglers were handed over to federal authorities for prosecution.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks recently deputized over 300 Texas National Guard soldiers to assist with securing the southern border. These soldiers have been granted limited law enforcement authority as part of efforts to enforce immigration laws more effectively.
Additionally, advanced technology is being utilized by the Texas National Guard at the border. Drones and surveillance systems have assisted in several apprehensions along the Rio Grande River, including detecting illegal crossers who subsequently turned back upon spotting surveillance equipment.
