A recent report released by Human Rights Watch sheds light on the alarming number of deaths resulting from high-speed pursuits in Texas during Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar immigration enforcement initiative. The report indicates that over a span of 29 months, 74 people, including seven innocent bystanders, lost their lives in these chases.

According to the analysis conducted by Human Rights Watch, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), along with local county sheriffs' officers and city police enlisted to assist in the operation, were responsible for the pursuits. Under Operation Lone Star, participating counties receive state funding, creating an incentive for law enforcement agencies to engage in vehicle pursuits.

The report examined Texas DPS records from March 2021 to July 2023, revealing that more than two-thirds of the vehicle pursuits—amounting to 3,000 cases—occurred in the 60 counties partnering in the program, out of a total of 254 counties in the state. This disproportionate impact on residents in these counties is a cause for concern, as vehicle chases have surged by over 1,000% in several of them since the initiation of Operation Lone Star.

The majority of pursuits, 81%, were initiated due to traffic violations, with 97% of those being misdemeanors such as speeding or disobeying traffic signals. Shockingly, the average maximum speed during these chases was 91 mph, and approximately one-third involved speeds exceeding 100 mph, posing significant risks to all parties involved.

Human Rights Watch highlighted that the death rate resulting from vehicle pursuits during Operation Lone Star in the 60 participating counties is approximately 1 per 112,000 people, a startling figure compared to the national rate of 1 per 820,000, as reported by USA Today's analysis.

Norma Herrera, a Texas-based consultant to Human Rights Watch, expressed concern over the pressure placed on law enforcement to engage in these high-speed chases, often with little justification, leading to tragic outcomes for not only drivers and passengers but also innocent bystanders. She argued that Operation Lone Star rewards Mexican cartels and emphasized the need to find a balance between border security and ensuring public safety.

The report also revealed that at least five children were injured as bystanders during the pursuits, all of whom were Texas residents. In addition, several law enforcement officers were injured in these dangerous incidents.

While the Texas DPS maintains that pursuing vehicles is at the discretion of troopers, Director Steve McCraw acknowledged the need to mitigate risks but cautioned against rewarding cartels. Governor Greg Abbott's spokesperson, Renae Eze, blamed President Joe Biden's border policies for inviting cartels and putting innocent lives in danger through human trafficking and smuggling.

The tragic case of 7-year-old Emilia Tambunga and her grandmother, Maria Alvarez Tambunga, who lost their lives during a pursuit in March, highlights the devastating consequences of these high-speed chases. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas introduced a bill in Congress for warnings to be issued during ongoing pursuits, similar to the Amber Alert system.

Some community residents living in areas affected by these chases have experienced property damage without adequate compensation. Norma Saldaña, whose fence was damaged, shared her frustration with Human Rights Watch, expressing support for border security but dissatisfaction with the consequences suffered by innocent individuals.

While many police departments have implemented restrictions on high-speed pursuits due to the higher risks involved, there have been calls for harsher penalties for individuals who flee from the police after a chase, following the death of a 19-year-old bystander in Houston.

Human Rights Watch spokesperson Alison Parker raised concerns about the potential increase in high-speed chases with the introduction of proposed immigration enforcement laws awaiting Governor Abbott's signature. These laws would heighten penalties for smuggling and grant authority to any peace officer to arrest individuals suspected of entering the country illegally, exacerbating the incentive for law enforcement to engage in these deadly pursuits.

The findings of the Human Rights Watch report underscore the urgent need for a reevaluation of pursuit policies and the prioritization of public safety in immigration enforcement measures. Action must be taken to reduce unnecessary risks and prevent further loss of life during these dangerous chases.