Every individual apprehended or arrested, every ounce of drugs seized would've made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden's open border policies
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas –"I have authorized the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin returning illegal immigrants to the border to stop the criminal enterprise endangering our communities," said Governor Greg Abbott, as the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard continued to take historic action in 2022 under Operation Lone Star to secure the border – and stop cartels and criminals from smuggling deadly drugs, weapons, and people into Texas.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to:- over 336,000 migrant apprehensions
- more than 23,000 criminal arrests,
- with more than 20,000 felony charges reported and
- over 354 million lethal doses of fentanyl seized by DPS during this border mission.
- READ MORE: Most Americans Don't Actually Know How Horrendously Bad the Border Crisis Is
- If more Americans knew what was happening, more would demand change
Texas Begins Busing Migrants To Sanctuary Cities
On April 13, the first group of migrants transported from Texas arrived in Washington, D.C. after Governor Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses to transport migrants to our nation's capitol.
In subsequent months, Governor Abbott added additional sanctuary cities—New York City and Chicago in August and Philadelphia in November—as drop-off locations.
As of today, Texas has bused over 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities:
- Over 9,000 migrants to Washington, D.C. since April 13
- Over 4,900 migrants to New York City since August 5
- Over 1,500 migrants to Chicago since August 31
- Over 600 migrants to Philadelphia since November 15
Governor Abbott Activates Joint Border Security Operations Center
On May 20, Governor Abbott activated the Joint Border Security Operations Center (JBSOC) and directed DPS, TMD, and TDEM to coordinate Texas' response to secure the border in preparation for a mass influx of illegal immigration from Mexico into Texas.
The JBSOC, located at DPS headquarters in Austin, serves as the state's multi-agency command and coordination center for statewide border security intelligence and operations to include tactical, marine, air, and ground. It also coordinates the deployment of strategic barriers along the Texas-Mexico border, including razor wire.Live feeds from Texas National Guard and DPS aircraft, UAVs, and detection cameras provide around-the-clock situational awareness. The JBSOC also has direct contact with law enforcement and local leaders along our southern border.
Governor Abbott Authorizes Texas National Guard, DPS To Return Illegal Immigrants To Border
Governor Abbott issued an executive order in July authorizing and empowering the Texas National Guard and DPS to apprehend illegal immigrants who illegally cross border between ports of entry and return them to the border.
"While President Biden refuses to do his job and enforce the immigration laws enacted by Congress, the State of Texas is once again stepping up and taking unprecedented action to protect Americans and secure our southern border," said Governor Abbott.
"The cartels have become emboldened and enriched by President Biden's open border policies, smuggling in record numbers of people, weapons, and deadly drugs like fentanyl. I have authorized the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to begin returning illegal immigrants to the border to stop this criminal enterprise endangering our communities."
"The cartels have become emboldened and enriched by President Biden's open border policies, smuggling in record numbers of people, weapons, and deadly drugs like fentanyl. I have authorized the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to begin returning illegal immigrants to the border to stop this criminal enterprise endangering our communities."
In September, Governor Abbott signed an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations at a press conference in Midland. The executive order also instructed DPS to take immediate action to keep Texans safe amid the growing national fentanyl crisis.
Governor Abbott Launches "One Pill Kills" Statewide Campaign
On October 17, Governor Abbott announced the launch of the State of Texas' coordinated "One Pill Kills" campaign to combat the growing national fentanyl crisis plaguing Texas and the United States. This announcement came after the Governor directed state agencies to begin ramping up efforts to combat the deadly fentanyl crisis.
Governor Abbott Orders DPS, TMD To Use Every Available Strategy To Combat Border Crisis
In November, Governor Abbott ordered DPS and the Texas Military Department to expand their unprecedented efforts to combat the growing illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border. In a letter to DPS Director Steve McCraw and TMD Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer, the Governor outlined the need for the Operation Lone Star partners to defend Texas amid the Biden Administration’s ongoing failure to secure the border.
In March, an Operation Lone Star Elite Brush Team, a joint effort between DPS and the Texas National Guard, apprehended large groups of illegal immigrants in Jim Hogg County. These large groups were found trespassing on area ranches as a result of DPS and Texas National Guard working collaboratively to keep Texans safe.
