Red state illegal immigration crackdown results in nearly 50,000 criminal arrests
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reported a significant decrease in illegal crossings and criminal activity related to illegal immigration and the Tren de Aragua (TdA) migrant gang. According to Abbott, the state’s crackdown efforts have led to a nearly 90% reduction in illegal crossings and close to 50,000 criminal arrests.
The Texas-led campaign, known as “Operation Lonestar,” was launched in March 2021 and has garnered support from over a dozen other Republican states. The operation has resulted in 530,400 illegal immigrant apprehensions and over 49,900 criminal arrests, with more than 42,900 felony charges. Despite President Biden halting border wall construction early in his administration, Texas has continued building its own border wall at strategic points.
“Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including against the growing threat of Tren de Aragua,” Abbott stated. “We will not allow this gang to operate or gain a foothold in Texas.” The governor’s office highlighted that during Operation Lonestar, law enforcement seized over 620 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to potentially kill every individual in the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined.
In response to the violent crime perpetrated by TdA, Abbott designated the gang as a foreign terrorist organization and launched a strike team to target, identify, and arrest its members. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers successfully apprehended four TdA members crossing the border on New Year’s Eve, one of whom was believed to be a high-ranking member of the gang.
Furthermore, Texas has transported a total of 119,400 migrants to cities like Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles, all of which have sanctuary policies in place. Operation Lone Star has incurred a cost of over $11 billion for Texas, which has been allocated towards securing the border, deploying National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers, transporting migrants, installing barriers, combating violent gangs, and constructing a new border wall.
Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, emphasized that Texas has successfully decreased illegal crossings by 87% due to these efforts. Governor Abbott aims to continue working closely with the federal government to protect the state and the nation from the ongoing border crisis.
In conclusion, the state’s proactive measures have proven effective in curbing illegal immigration and criminal activities associated with it, showcasing a commitment to safeguarding Texas and its residents.
