Originally published June 30, 2023 2:00 pm PDT
In a recent press release, Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced the ongoing successes of Operation Lone Star, a joint effort between his office, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard.
Aimed at bolstering the security of the Texan border, the operation has been instrumental in preventing the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into the state, along with curbing transnational criminal activities.
Governor Abbott stated, “Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 386,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 30,000 criminal arrests, with more than 28,000 felony charges reported.”
This notable achievement underscores the operation’s effectiveness and significant role in maintaining Texan border integrity.
The fight against illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, has been another key aspect of Operation Lone Star. As per the governor’s press release, “Texas law enforcement has seized over 420 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.”
This significant drug bust reveals the gravity of the situation at the border, providing a glimpse into the potential scale of drug-related issues averted by the operation.
While striving to limit illegal entry, Texas has been faced with managing the large number of individuals already inside the state’s borders.
Governor Abbott’s office reported that “Texas has also bused more than 10,200 migrants to our nation’s capital since April 2022, over 8,700 migrants to New York City since August 5, more than 3,000 migrants to Chicago since August 31, more than 1,600 migrants to Philadelphia since November 15, over 200 migrants to Denver since May 18, and over 40 migrants to Los Angeles since June 14.”
The operation stands as a stern response to the “dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” according to Abbott.
He added, “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 President Joe Biden’s open border policies.”
The statement reflects the state’s stance on border control and is a direct critique of the federal government’s handling of immigration policy.
Operation Lone Star continues its vigilant watch on the Texan border, aiming to prevent illegal activities and safeguard Texan communities against the potential harms associated with unregulated border crossings.
