Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott, alongside the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, is working with the Trump Administration to enhance border security in Texas. This collaborative effort aims to curb the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people while addressing transnational criminal activities.

Operation Lone Star, a multi-agency initiative, has resulted in over 533,400 apprehensions of illegal immigrants and more than 53,900 criminal arrests, including over 45,400 felony charges. The operation has also led to the seizure of over 726 million lethal doses of fentanyl as part of efforts against the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

Governor Abbott emphasized that Operation Lone Star seeks to counteract what he describes as damage from the Biden Administration's policies. He stated that "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."

In recent developments, Governor Abbott expressed gratitude towards the U.S. House for allocating $12 billion in President Donald J. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill to reimburse states for border security expenses. He remarked on former President Biden's policies by saying: "Former President Biden’s reckless open border policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented surge of illegal immigration."

Abbott shared images on social media showing Texas National Guard soldiers collaborating with federal partners at the Texas-Mexico border near Roma. He reaffirmed Texas' commitment to working closely with the Trump Administration for border security.

Additionally, Abbott highlighted an incident where Texas National Guard soldiers apprehended an illegal immigrant attempting entry into the U.S., noting a significant decrease in illegal crossings since President Trump assumed office.

On May 9th, DPS troopers pursued Humberto Misael Garcia in Webb County during a high-speed chase that ended with his arrest on multiple charges related to human smuggling and reckless driving. Four illegal immigrants found in Garcia's vehicle were referred to Border Patrol.

In Val Verde County last weekend, Kevin Andres Ramirez was arrested after two illegal immigrants were discovered in his vehicle's trunk during a traffic stop conducted by DPS troopers.

A joint anti-smuggling operation in Cameron County led to the seizure of 72 lbs. of marijuana and the arrest of three teenage smugglers from Mexico. Octavio Medina-Contreras was charged with felony marijuana possession while two juveniles were referred to Border Patrol.

Texas National Guard teams have begun installing barriers on Department of Defense land as part of Operation Lone Star's ongoing efforts to enhance physical deterrents along high-traffic areas at the border.

Special Agent Sebastian Casares underscored the importance of river patrols by Texas National Guard boat response teams on the Rio Grande River. Casares stated: "We are on the Rio Grande River to prevent, deter, and interdict any illegal activity happening on the Texas border."