Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 523,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 47,800 criminal arrests, with more than 41,300 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 551 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States and Mexico combined during this border mission.
Texas has decreased illegal crossings into the state by over 86% due to our historic border security mission. Fewer illegal crossings into Texas means fewer migrants to transport to sanctuary cities. Since the start of Texas’ transportation program, the state has transported:
• Over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C. since April 2022
• Over 45,900 migrants to New York City since August 2022
• Over 36,900 migrants to Chicago since August 2022
• Over 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022
• Over 19,200 migrants to Denver since May 2023
• Over 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 2023
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the federal government’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to open border policies.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:
Governor Abbott Highlights Texas’ Ongoing Efforts To Secure Border, Crack Down On Tren de Aragua
Last night, Governor Abbott highlighted Texas’ unprecedented border security mission and the comprehensive, statewide operation to crack down on the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) at the South Texas Property Rights Association’s (STPRA) annual meeting in Corpus Christi.
“For nearly two decades, the South Texas Property Rights Association has fought to ensure that our border with Mexico is safe and secure,” said Governor Abbott. “Our latest battle has been against Tren de Aragua. Which is why last month, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operations. Texas law enforcement has already begun making arrests of known and suspected Tren de Aragua members.”
Governor Abbott: Texas Continues Construction On Border Wall
Yesterday, on X, formerly known as twitter, Governor Abbott shared a video of construction workers installing border wall panels in Maverick County.
Texas will continue to put American’s safety first and fill the gap of the federal government.
Governor Abbott: Texas Law Enforcement Arrests TdA Gang Member
Recently, DPS troopers arrested a Tren de Aragua gang member in Houston who was trying to recruit more members into the treacherous gang.
Governor Abbott last month designated TdA as foreign terrorist organization and directed DPS to elevate them to a Tier 1 gang and to create a TdA Strike Team to identify and arrest TdA gang members.
Texas will continue to disrupt TdA’s criminal operations and deny their foothold in the state.
