In a strong show of determination, Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are working together under Operation Lone Star to safeguard the southern border of Texas. Their collective efforts aim to prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into the state and combat transnational criminal activity.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency initiative has yielded impressive results. Over 496,700 illegal immigrants have been apprehended, and more than 38,700 criminal arrests have been made. Furthermore, law enforcement in Texas has seized a staggering amount of fentanyl, totaling over 454 million deadly doses, in their fight against the fentanyl crisis.

Texas has also played a significant role in transporting migrants to various destinations across the country. Since April 2022, over 12,500 migrants have been transported to Washington, D.C. Additionally, more than 37,500 migrants have been taken to New York City, and over 31,200 migrants have been relocated to Chicago since August 2022. Other cities that have received migrants include Philadelphia with over 3,400 migrants since November 2022, Denver with over 16,000 migrants since May 18, and Los Angeles with over 1,500 migrants since June 14.

Operation Lone Star has become essential in filling the gaps left by the Biden Administration's failure to secure the border, as Governor Abbott emphasizes. The Governor issued a statement asserting Texas' constitutional right to self-defense against the ongoing attacks and negligence from President Joe Biden. He called on the Federal government to enforce immigration laws, accusing the Biden Administration of instructing agencies to ignore their obligations. Governor Abbott cited Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves the right of self-defense to the state under these circumstances.

Governor Abbott further underlined Texas' right to protect the state's border and its citizens. Appearing on America's Newsroom, he argued that Texas has the authority to make arrests and deny illegal entry. He urged President Biden to fulfill his duties by enforcing existing laws and effectively stopping illegal entry at the border.

In another incident highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement, an 18-year-old human smuggler led DPS troopers on a high-speed pursuit in Webb County. The pursuit ended with the driver colliding with a DPS Patrol Unit. The driver, Ricardo Hernandez from Laredo, was eventually apprehended and charged with multiple crimes, including evading arrest and smuggling of persons. Four illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol during this incident.

Continuing their commendable efforts, members of the DPS Brush Team arrested a smuggling guide wanted for murder in Mexico. Elipidio Camacho Barajas, 35, was apprehended while assisting seven illegal immigrants crossing the Rio Grande. Barajas faces charges of felony human smuggling and was also wanted for murder in Mexico, with a history of previous apprehensions and convictions for illegal entry.

Additionally, DPS troopers recently arrested two individuals from Azerbaijan and one from Ecuador for criminal trespass after crossing through concertina wire at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. All three were taken into custody on state charges.

To enhance their surveillance capabilities, the Texas National Guard has deployed Modular Mobile Surveillance Systems (M2S2) equipped with advanced cameras along the border. These systems, operated from trucks, allow for long-range detection of migrant caravans, providing early awareness of illegal border crossings.

Operation Lone Star's unwavering dedication and the state's commitment to protecting its citizens are reflected in the collaborative efforts of Texas agencies. With the border crisis continuing, Texas remains steadfast in its resolve to secure its borders and defend against transnational criminal activity.