Texas authorities have arrested thousands of immigrants in an operation to combat illegal immigration.
According to the Associated Press, law enforcement authorities have arrested nearly 10,000 migrants on misdemeanor trespassing charges.
The arrests are part of the “arrest and jail” operation, where border landowners enter agreements with the state to allow trespassing arrests.
Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill into law that allows state law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants.
“Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in decades,” Abbott said in a press release. “It was because of four policies put in place by the Trump Administration that led to such a low number of illegal crossings. President Biden has eliminated all of those policies and done nothing to halt illegal immigration. President Biden’s deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself. Today, I will sign three laws to better protect Texas—and America—from President Biden’s border neglect. These laws will help stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas, add additional funding to build more border wall, and crackdown on human smuggling.”
The law will take effect in March.
Recent data from Customs and Border Patrol revealed that border encounters with individuals on the terror watchlist are on the rise.
In fiscal year 2023, 172 individuals on the terror watchlist were encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents, while 564 individuals on the terror watchlist were encountered within CBP’s Office of Field Operations.
Forty-nine individuals have already been encountered since the beginning of fiscal year 2024, according to the data.
In fiscal year 2022 alone, 98 individuals on the terrorism watchlist were encountered.
In comparison, zero terrorism watchlist identities were arrested on the Southwest Border in fiscal year 2019.
