Operation Lone Star Achieves Significant Milestones in Border Security Efforts

In an ongoing collaborative effort, Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are intensifying measures to secure the Texas border, combat the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people, and thwart transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

Operation Lone Star, launched as a multi-agency initiative, has yielded notable results since its inception. Over 484,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 36,600 criminal arrests have been made, resulting in over 33,200 felony charges. Particularly in the battle against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has successfully seized over 435 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.

As part of the operation’s comprehensive strategy, Texas has transported migrants to various cities across the nation, addressing the gaps created by what Governor Abbott describes as the Biden Administration’s reluctance to secure the border. Since April 2022, more than 12,500 migrants have been bused to Washington, D.C., with over 23,800 to New York City, 19,100 to Chicago, 3,200 to Philadelphia, 6,500 to Denver since May 18, and 1,100 to Los Angeles since June 14.

Operation Lone Star remains a critical response to the challenges posed by open border policies, with the intention of preventing individuals, drugs, and criminal elements from entering Texas communities and beyond. The collaborative efforts of state agencies and the National Guard continue to play a pivotal role in addressing border security concerns.