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Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are working together in Operation Lone Star to secure the border and combat transnational criminal activity. According to Governor Abbott, this multi-agency effort has resulted in significant achievements, including over 500,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 39,500 criminal arrests, with over 35,600 felony charges. In the battle against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 467 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this mission.
In response to President Joe Biden's border crisis, Governor Abbott announced the establishment of a Forward Operating Base in the Del Rio sector to improve conditions for Texas National Guard soldiers. He emphasized the importance of supporting these soldiers in their efforts to address the challenges at the border.
As part of Operation Lone Star, recent incidents have highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement. A human smuggler led DPS troopers on a high-speed pursuit in Webb County, resulting in the arrest of the driver and the referral of six illegal immigrants to Border Patrol. Another incident involved a human smuggler colliding with a FedEx truck during a pursuit, leading to the arrest of the smuggler and the referral of seven illegal immigrants to Border Patrol.
Additionally, the Texas National Guard has been enhancing border security by adding more barrier infrastructure near Shelby Park to deter illegal crossings along the Rio Grande River. First Lieutenant Hayden Starr emphasized the importance of these efforts to prevent individuals from entering the country unlawfully.
Operation Lone Star continues to address the gaps in border security created by the current administration's policies. Through the collaboration of various agencies and the dedication of law enforcement personnel, Texas remains committed to protecting its communities and upholding the rule of law along the border.