Texas could bus migrants to directly to ICE for deportation instead of sanctuary cities under proposed plan
Texas is considering a new plan to bus migrants directly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation, a departure from its current program of bussing migrants to sanctuary cities. This move, part of Operation Lone Star, is still pending approval from Governor Greg Abbott.
According to a source cited by the New York Post, Texas aims to charter buses from border cities to federal detention centers to facilitate the quick processing of migrants by ICE agents. Abbott’s office has not yet confirmed the plan, but a government source emphasized the state’s commitment to border security, citing the significant taxpayer investment in deterrent measures.
Abbott has been known for his aggressive stance on illegal immigration, previously bussing migrants to blue cities to draw attention to the border crisis. The proposed plan represents a shift towards a more direct approach to deportation.
In the ongoing legal battle with the Biden administration over immigration policies, Texas recently won the right to build a razor wire border wall to deter migrants. The state has also offered land to the incoming Trump administration for the construction of deportation centers to hold illegal immigrant criminals.
Recent incidents near the border have highlighted the challenges posed by unaccompanied migrant children. State troopers in Maverick County encountered a 10-year-old boy from El Salvador who was lost and left behind by a human smuggler. The child, holding a cellphone, tearfully mentioned that his parents were in the U.S.
In a separate incident, a 2-year-old girl from El Salvador was found unaccompanied, clutching a piece of paper with a phone number and her name. She, too, indicated that her parents were in the U.S. The troopers also intercepted a group of 211 illegal immigrants, including 60 unaccompanied children and special interest immigrants from Mali and Angola.
Despite the political implications, the focus remains on the safety and security of these vulnerable children. Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety stressed the risks of child exploitation and trafficking, underscoring the need for vigilance and protection on the frontlines.
As Texas navigates the complexities of immigration enforcement, the state continues to prioritize border security and deterrence measures. The proposed plan to bus migrants directly to ICE reflects a strategic shift in handling the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
