The Texas National Guard being deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border is now able to arrest illegal immigrants on state trespassing charges as part of Operation Lone Star, which Gov. Greg Abbott (R) launched in March of this year.
Center for Immigration Studies reported around 3,000 National Guardsmen were given 40 hours of traditional police training in the use of deadly force and will be working with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
"Nobody’s ever really used the guard before in this capacity," Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw told CIS. "We’re going to use them to actually secure the border. The governor, the legislature, and the citizens of Texas have made it very clear; they want the border secure. It is good for our federal partner as well. The federal government should be thanking the state of Texas, and it’ll make the rest of the country safer as we increase the level of security."
The National Guardsmen will not be involved in the apprehension of family units and unaccompanied minors since they willingly turn themselves over to the Border Patrol because the Biden administration said Title 42 mostly does not apply to them anymore.
In addition to illegal immigrant apprehensions, Texas DPS will also be cracking down on American citizens who are caught smuggling illegal immigrants. As Townhall previously reported while in Arizona, American citizens who are caught smuggling people on the road are oftentimes let go without repercussions. As a result, it is not unusual for an offender to be caught multiple times.
I signed a law that makes it easier to prosecute human smugglers in Texas.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 20, 2021
The Texas Dept. of Public Safety, along with the Texas Guard, will be arresting anyone caught smuggling illegal immigrants into our state.
They will be put behind bars, no catch & release. pic.twitter.com/xF1rIDFSt0
Abbott has been vocal in highlighting the surge in National Guardsmen he has ordered to the southern border in recent days.
Texas National Guard patrol along the Rio Grande.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 19, 2021
They also construct strategic fencing & barriers along the border.
We will continue deploying personnel & resources to the border in response to the crisis Biden has created. pic.twitter.com/qCvAcjvmmR
The surge of Texas National Guard equipment & personnel continues along the Texas-Mexico border.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 18, 2021
Texas Guard is using heavy equipment assets to move additional tactical vehicles throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
By land, air, & sea, the Lone Star State is securing the border. pic.twitter.com/awaTpuD3TD