Operation Lone Star leaves more than 350,000 immigrants detained in Texas

TEXAS – Since the launch of Operation Lone Star in March 2021 to date, more than 350,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended along the Texas-Mexico border, according to Governor Greg Abbott.

According to Abbott, since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has resulted in more than 350,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 24,000 criminal arrests, with more than 22,000 felony charges.

It was also detailed that in the fight against fentanyl, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has seized more than 362 million lethal doses of this drug during the border mission.

In addition, the Texas government reported that more than 9,100 migrants have also been bused to the U.S. capital since April, as well as more than 5,200 migrants to New York City since August 5; while more than 1,500 migrants have been sent to Chicago since August 31 and another 890 were taken to Philadelphia since November 15.

It was also noted that National Guard elements in Texas turned back about 600 illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border during a mass migration event near El Paso last week.

Governor Abbott indicated that DPS and the National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people into Texas; and prevent, detect and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.