In a commendable display of law enforcement, Texas has made significant strides in curbing the illicit smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into the United States. This achievement is attributed mainly to Operation Lone Star, a border security initiative launched in March 2021. The operation, a joint effort by the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), has utilized air, ground, marine, and tactical border security assets to combat the activities of Mexican cartels and other smugglers.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has been at the forefront of this operation, vowing to employ every possible strategy to address the border crisis. He has been vocal in criticizing President Joe Biden’s policies, which he believes have exacerbated the situation at the southern border. “The crisis at our southern border is a direct result of President Biden’s open border policies,” Abbott stated.
The effectiveness of Operation Lone Star is evident in the data released by Governor Abbott. The operation has resulted in over 394,200 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 31,300 criminal arrests, with over 29,100 felony charges reported. In addition, Texas law enforcement has seized over 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl. This deadly drug has been flooding into the United States.
In a bold move, Texas has transported nearly 30,000 illegal immigrants to various Democrat-led cities. This action serves as a wake-up call to Washington and a pushback against what Texas officials perceive as the Biden administration’s lax border policies. Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, over 10,400 illegal immigrants have been transported to Washington, D.C., and over 10,300 to New York City.
The financial burden of border security on Texas is significant. According to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state spends around $4 billion annually on border security, a tenfold increase from the usual expenditure of around $400 million. “This is not just a financial burden; it’s an invasion of our state,” Patrick stated in a Fox News interview.
Republicans hold the Biden administration responsible for policies incentivizing people to undertake the dangerous journey north and cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. On the other hand, the Biden administration attributes the crisis to factors beyond its control, such as crime, corruption, and poverty in the countries of origin. They also blame the previous Trump administration for undermining the country’s asylum system, which they are now trying to rectify.
Texas, being one of the states most affected by illegal immigration, has been proactive in addressing the issue. Governor Abbott has been critical of President Biden’s failure to handle the border crisis adequately. “Operation Lone Star persists in filling the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott stated.
In his latest effort to enhance border security, Governor Abbott has deployed floating barriers in the Rio Grande to deter illegal immigrants from crossing. Despite criticism from the Biden administration, which claims the wall poses risks to the environment and public safety, Abbott remains undeterred. “We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans—and the migrants risking their lives,” he stated, signaling his readiness to face any legal action.
Texas’ efforts to combat the border crisis have yielded significant results. However, the state continues to face challenges due to what it perceives as the federal government’s lax border policies. Despite these challenges, Texas remains committed to deploying every possible strategy to ensure the safety and security of its residents and the nation at large.