Operation Lone Star

2021 to present Texas border operation

Operation Lone StarPart of the Mexico–United States border crisis

Texas National Guard members during Operation Lone Star

Date| March 6, 2021 – present (2021-03-06 – present)
(3 years, 5 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location| Texas portion of the Mexico–United States border
Target| Illegal immigration to the United States
Illegal drug trade
Human smuggling
Budget| $10 billion as of January 2024[1]
Participants|  Texas
Texas Military Department
Texas Department of Public Safety

Outcome| 489 million doses of fentanyl seized
119,200 migrants bused to sanctuary cities

Deaths| 10 National Guard members[2]
74 dead in pursuits in OLS counties, including 7 bystanders[3]

Non-fatal injuries| 189 injured in pursuits in OLS counties[3]
Arrests| 513,700 migrant apprehensions
44,000 criminal arrests
Charges| 38,600 felony charges[4]

Operation Lone Star (OLS) is a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department along the United States–Mexico border in southern Texas. The operation started in 2021 and is ongoing. According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the operation is intended to counter a rise in illegal immigration, the illegal drug trade, and human smuggling.[5] Between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, migrant apprehensions had risen 278% along the US–Mexico border.[6] According to the governor's office, OLS has resulted in 513,700 migrant apprehensions, 44,000 criminal arrests (including 38,600 felony charges), and 489 million doses of fentanyl seized.[4][7][8] As of April 2022, OLS was spending approximately $2.5 million per week and was expected to cost approximately $2 billion per year.[9] Approximately 10,000 National Guard members were deployed in support of OLS at the height of the operation, with around 6,000 deployed as of November 2022.[10] One year after the start of Operation Lone Star, Texas saw a 9% increase in migrant encounters along its border with Mexico, compared to a 62% increase in Arizona, California, and New Mexico along their respective borders with Mexico.[11] As of June 2024, the Department of Public Safety has estimated a 74% drop in illegal border crossings since the start of OLS.[12]

OLS has drawn criticism from the federal government, state officials, and migrant advocates for its treatment of migrants, including the withholding of water and orders to push migrants back into the Rio Grande.[13] Migrants have had a more difficult time crossing areas of the Rio Grande due to razor wire set up by OLS, leading to some migrants becoming injured and/or captured in the wire. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized high speed pursuits in counties implementing OLS, which it attributed to causing 74 deaths.[3] Texas officials and national guard members have also voiced concerns about hardships sustained during deployment in support of OLS.[8][14]

According to the governor, 119,200 migrants were voluntarily bused to sanctuary cities across the United States as of June 2024.[4] A few migrants were also flown directly to these cities.[15] This has resulted in migrant crises in cities like New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., as local resources are stretched thin to handle the new arrivals.[16][17] Local officials in the sanctuary cities have criticized the busing program and responded by requesting federal assistance, fining charter bus companies carrying migrants, and sending migrants to other cities.[18][19][16][20]

In January 2024, Texas officials seized control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, which was frequently used by United States Border Patrol to process new migrant arrivals. Border patrol agents were generally prohibited from the park, except to access a boat ramp in the park after three migrants drowned nearby while crossing the Rio Grande. This led to a standoff between federal and state officials. The Biden administration has said that it would refer the dispute to the United States Department of Justice if access was not restored for border patrol agents.[21][22]

## Background and causes

[edit]

See also: Immigration reform in the United States

Starting with "Operation Linebacker" by former governor Rick Perry, the State of Texas has been launching border security operations with increasing escalation since 2005.[9] These operations were limited in scope due to the exclusive authority of federal immigration agents to deport migrants.[11] Operation Lone Star was launched in 2021 to respond to the surge in border crossings, which Governor Abbott attributed to the Biden Administration's policies on immigration. In fiscal year 2021, enforcement actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including detentions and arrests of migrants, rose to over 1.9 million, a 202% increase from fiscal year 2020. Meanwhile, a 278% increase in migrant encounters was seen at the southwest border from fiscal year 2020 to 2021, which continued rising into 2022.[6]

Operation Lone Star differed from previous border operations due to the authority granted to state law enforcement officials to arrest migrants in border counties for offenses such as criminal trespassing and human smuggling.[11] OLS efforts to empower local law enforcement to act against undocumented migrants have been complicated by the traditional delegation of immigration enforcement powers to federal officials. In Arizona v. United States, the Supreme Court overturned an Arizona law penalizing illegal immigration at a state level.[23][24]

## Timeline

[edit]

Developments in Operation Lone Star  Date  | Notable Event

|

March 06, 2021  | Operation Lone Star is launched[5]
May 31, 2021  | Greg Abbott declares disaster via Proclamation[25]
June 16, 2021  | Greg Abbott announces border wall construction strategy[26]
December 18, 2021  | First section of border wall completed in Rio Grande City[27]
March 14, 2022  | Major General Tracy Norris is relieved of command[28]
April 06, 2022  | Bus and flight of immigrants to sanctuary city Washington, D.C., begin[29]
July 07, 2022  | Greg Abbott declares invasion via Executive Order GA-41[30]
September 21, 2022  | Greg Abbott designates Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations via Executive Order GA-42[31]
November 18, 2022  | M113 armored personnel carriers are deployed[32]
February 03, 2023  | Greg Abbott establishes Texas Border Czar position, appoints Mike Banks[33]
May 08, 2023  | Greg Abbott establishes and deploys Texas Tactical Border Force[34][35]
May 16, 2023  | Texas requests assistance from other states, utilizing the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.[36]
October 02, 2023  | The Texas Ranger Division and Texas Army National Guard occupied Fronton Island.[37]
December 18, 2023  | Greg Abbott signs bill SB 4, making illegal immigration a state crime, allowing Texas law enforcement to arrest undocumented migrants anywhere in the state. It also permits state courts to issue removal orders to send arrested migrants back across the Mexican border.[23]
January 11, 2024  | Standoff at Eagle Pass: Greg Abbott executes emergency declaration ordering Texas Military Forces to seize control of 47-acre Shelby Park in Eagle Pass from United States Border Patrol agents.[38]
January 25, 2024  | 25 Republican state governors declare their support for Texas in its disputes with Federal authorities.[39]
February 16, 2024  | Greg Abbott announces FOB Eagle, an 80 acre forward operating base at Eagle Pass for 2,300 soldiers[40]

## Reactions

[edit]

### Public

[edit]

As of June 2023, polling from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin indicated that 59% of Texans backed the increased law enforcement deployments and border spending.[41][42]

The mission faced public criticism, including from state officials, following reports of pay delays, poor working and living conditions, a lack of proper equipment and facilities, and multiple suicides and suicide attempts among service members.[8][43] According to reporting in the Army Times, soldiers were being housed in what it describes as cramped quarters, in converted recreational vehicles and semi-truck trailers, and also faced shortages in cold weather uniforms, medical equipment, and portable toilets.[8] According to the Houston Chronicle, this was further compounded when it coincided with state cuts in educational benefits for service members to address budget shortfalls, reducing available tuition assistance by more than half.[44] Some Texas Air National Guard members deployed in support of OLS have also criticized the operation's planning and execution, with nearly 30% of 250 participants in a 2022 Air National Guard survey reporting frustration with the operation's length, haste, and involuntary nature.[14]

On January 13, 2022, a state district court judge in Travis County, Texas, granted Jesús Alberto Guzmán Curipoma, of Ecuador, a writ of habeas corpus, ruling that the state program violated the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution.[45] On February 25, 2022, the Third Court of Appeals in Austin affirmed the decision of the lower court.[46] On June 26, 2024, the Court of Criminal Appeals vacated the Third Court of Appeals decision and remanded the case for reconsideration.[47]

Republican Party officials in multiple states and in federal positions supported Texas' efforts and criticized opposition from the Biden administration.[48]

More than 100 sheriffs in Texas have publicly backed OLS.[49]

### Federal government

[edit]

Construction of the Rio Grande barriers by OLS

In July 2022, the Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation of OLS.[50] According to a Texas Department of Public Safety email obtained by the Texas Tribune, the investigation is focused on reviewing whether OLS violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin by programs that receive federal funds.

On July 24, 2023, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Texas, United States v. Abbott, alleging that the construction of floating barriers in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass by OLS without permission violated the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.[51] In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said that the barriers pose a hazard to navigation and public safety, present humanitarian concerns, and have sparked diplomatic protests by Mexico. In response, Texas argued that the area of the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass does not fall under the Act and that the floating barriers are not a "structure" subject to the Act's requirements. Texas also argued that the Compact Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which allows states to engage in war if invaded, allows Texas to build the barriers due to Governor Abbott's invasion declaration.[52] On September 6, the district court granted the DOJ's motion for a preliminary injunction and ordered Texas to move the barrier to the bank of the river and cease the installation of any new barriers.[53] In response, Texas appealed the order to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which issued an order on December 1 affirming the injunction.[54] The court also found that Texas has not offered concrete evidence that the barrier has saved lives or reduced illegal migration. The outcome of the case is pending an en banc rehearing in the Fifth Circuit.[55]

Federal border patrol agents have cut and destroyed razor wire deployed by Texas as part of Operation Lone Star, but were halted from doing so except to provide emergency medical aid by a temporary injunction issued by a judge in the Western District of Texas on October 30, 2023.[56] On November 30, the court withdrew the injunction, allowing the Border Patrol to resume cutting the wire pending a trial in the case.[57] The Fifth Circuit reinstated the temporary injunction on cutting razor wire in December 2023. In January 2024, the Supreme Court restored the ability of border patrol agents to cut razor wire pending the outcome of the case.[58] Texas continued putting up concertina wire and blocking border patrol agents after the ruling, which only dealt with the temporary injunction against border patrol agents cutting razor wire.[59][60] The case is ongoing and is scheduled to be argued before the Fifth Circuit on February 7, 2024.[61]

Since 2022, Abbott has repeatedly invoked the "invasion clauses" of the Constitution to legally justify his efforts on immigration enforcement, which typically falls under federal purview. Abbott has accused the Biden administration of failing to protect Texas against an "invasion" under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution, thus empowering the state to act under Article I, Section 10, Clause 3.[62][63][64][65] Texas has also unsuccessfully attempted to use this argument in federal court.[66]

On January 3, 2024, the Biden administration filed United States v. Texas, a lawsuit challenging SB 4, which empowered Texas law enforcement to arrest migrants and effectively deport them for crossing the border illegally. The Biden administration argued that Texas was interfering with the federal government's "exclusive authority" on immigration.[67][68] The United States Supreme Court issued a stay temporarily blocking SB 4 from going into effect on March 4, 2024.[69] The Supreme Court rejected a later request for a stay and allowed the law to go into effect pending ongoing litigation on March 19.[70]

#### Eagle Pass park standoff

[edit]

On January 11, 2024, the Texas National Guard took control of Shelby Park, a 47-acre (19 ha) area of parkland in the town of Eagle Pass, along the Rio Grande river, which separates the United States from Mexico, after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration to close the park. In his declaration, Abbott cited the Mexico–United States border crisis and the need to secure the border. The Texas National Guard blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from patrolling the area, which the Border Patrol had been using to hold migrants in recent weeks.[71][72]

After the closure, three migrants were found drowned in the Rio Grande. Mexican authorities subsequently identified them as a 33-year-old woman and her two children, aged 10 and 8. The U.S. Border Patrol said it had alerted the Texas National Guard that a group of migrants were in distress in the waters outside the boat ramp in Shelby Park but that the National Guard took no action to rescue them. Texas lawyers responded that the National Guard was alerted only after the three had drowned, and that the National Guard had not spotted any migrants. Mexican authorities said that the boat never entered U.S. territory.[73][74]

On January 22, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an order to vacate an injunction by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prevented Border Patrol agents from cutting concertina wire, which the National Guard had been using to make a fence in Shelby Park. The ruling concerned an earlier dispute and did not address Texas deploying razor wire or blocking federal officials from the park.[75][76] On January 24, Abbott responded that Texas would refuse to let federal authorities access the park, vowing to "protect the sovereignty of our state".[77][75][78] A military standoff between state and federal authorities over immigration is unique in modern American history; constitutional law professor Charles "Rocky" Rhodes and an editorial in the San Antonio Express-News said it may signal the start of a constitutional crisis.[79][80][81]

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision, 25 other Republican state governors (every Republican governor but Vermont's Phil Scott) announced their support for Texas in the dispute, as did U.S. House speaker Mike Johnson.[82][83] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis additionally committed to sending more resources after previously sending the Florida National Guard to reinforce the Texas government.[79] Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt pledged to deploy the Oklahoma National Guard to support Texas, and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced that 50 Indiana National Guardsmen would arrive in Texas by mid-March.[84][85] Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stated 15 to 20 Georgia National Guard troops would be sent to Texas.[86] In Missouri, Governor Mike Parson issued an executive order to deploy up to 200 Missouri National Guard troops to Texas, as well as 22 state troopers "on a voluntary basis".[87] Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that approximately 40 Arkansas National Guard members would be deployed in Texas from April 1 through May 30.[88] Other state and national Republican officials backed Texas.[89]

On January 23, the Department of Homeland Security issued Texas attorney general Ken Paxton an ultimatum, ordering the removal of "obstructions" along the border and that the Border Patrol be given full access to Shelby Park by January 26.[90] On January 24, Democratic Texas representatives Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar called for U.S. President Joe Biden to establish federal control over the Texas National Guard.[91] On January 26, the deadline set by Department of Homeland Security passed. It had ordered Texas to agree to fully reopen disputed parts of the Shelby Park area to federal Border Patrol agents, emphasizing the need for confirmation and specifying the consequences of partial denial in a letter from DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer to Attorney General Paxton.

On January 29, more than two dozen Republican state attorneys general, and leadership from the Republican-controlled Arizona State Legislature, signed a letter supporting Abbott and Paxton, addressing President Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and commending Abbott's and Paxton's actions against what they called the "invasion, encouraged by Biden's refusal to follow federal statutory law".[92][93]

### Other states

[edit]

On May 16, 2023, Abbott requested assistance from other state governors through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.[36] As of June 2023, 14 states have sent about 500 national guard[quantify] and law enforcement officers to Texas in response, with Florida providing the most additional personnel.[94]

## Results

[edit]

As of June 2024, OLS has resulted in 513,700 migrant apprehensions, 44,000 criminal arrests (including 38,600 felony charges), and 489 million doses of fentanyl seized according to the governor's office.[4]

However, a March 2022 investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and The Marshall Project found that the Texas Department of Public Safety had counted over 2,000 arrests with no link to OLS or border security towards OLS's total.[95] While those arrests were later removed following questioning from reporters, the report also found that DPS continues to include arrests in its OLS database with no clear link to the operation's stated goals.

High speed chases have risen in Texas, particularly in counties where OLS is being undertaken. The chases have been linked to pursuits of drivers, often US citizens, who are paid to smuggle migrants away from border counties.[96] Human Rights Watch found that more than two-thirds of police chases in Texas occurred in OLS counties, which contained 13% of the state population. According to HRW, 74 people have died and 189 were injured as a result of these chases, resulting in a vehicle pursuit death rate eight times as high as the national rate. It also found an average of $177,000 in property damage per month linked to these chases, up from $73,000 per month prior to OLS.[3]

The costs of the operation have resulted in funding being transferred from other Texas government agency budgets, particularly the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which operates state prisons. Reimbursement for the costs have partly been filled by using federal COVID aid.[11]

After the start of OLS, Texas saw slower rates of increases in migrant encounters than neighboring states since the start of OLS. One year after inception, Texas saw a 9% increase in encounters, compared to a 62% increase in encounters in Arizona, California, and New Mexico, the three other states bordering Mexico.[11] In June 2024, the Department of Public Safety reported that Texas experienced a 74% decrease in illegal border crossings since the start of OLS.[12]

### Bussing program

[edit]

See also: New York City migrant housing crisis and Mexico–United States border crisis

As part of Operation Lone Star, Texas set up a program to voluntarily send migrants to sanctuary cities in other states, typically through busing.[97][15] Abbott has stated that the purpose of the migrant busing program was to provide Texan border towns with relief from migrant arrivals, which he blames on the Biden administration's policies on immigration, and to bring the costs of the border crisis to Democratic cities that had been dismissing it.[18][98][99] Abbott has also mocked leaders of cities he sent migrants to for saying that they welcome immigrants.[15] The buses provide free rides and food for migrants, many of whom have expressed gratitude at being able to ride closer to their preferred destinations.[100][97] However, some migrant advocates reported instances of buses being sent without adequate provisions.[101] The state reported sending 119,200 migrants to cities outside of Texas,[4] contributing to the New York City migrant housing crisis and other crises in cities such as Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C.[16][19] Officials in these cities have responded to the drop-off of migrants by deploying emergency measures and calling states of emergencies.[102][18] Some Democratic-led cities, such as Denver and New York City, have also responded by giving migrants free bus and plane rides to other cities.[20]

To carry out the busing program, charter bus companies transport the migrants at a cost of about $1,650 per migrant, with funding coming from both the Texas legislature and private donors. A few hundred migrants have also been flown from Texas to sanctuary cities.[19] Local officials in the sanctuary cities have attempted to crack down on the busing programs via fines and ordinances targeting the charter bus companies. New York City in particular has filed a lawsuit against 17 charter bus companies responsible for migrant transportation.[103][19]

Officials in areas dealing with migrant surges have called on the Biden administration to change immigration policies. They have also requested federal aid to fund their responses to the migrant influx and reimburse costs.[98] Washington, D.C., in particular has requested the deployment of the D.C. National Guard to assist in the migrant crisis, but has been turned down.[104]

Republican officials have expressed approval of the OLS busing program for giving the migrant crisis national attention.[98] Democratic officials' reactions have changed as migrant influxes grew over time. In 2022, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said it was "nice the State of Texas is helping [migrants] get to their final destination", while in 2023, the White House and other Democrats called the busing program a "political stunt".[97][99] Other states and cities, both Democratic and Republican, as well as local charities, have followed Texas in organizing busing operations to move migrants to the rest of the country.[18][20][105]

## See also

[edit]

* Immigration policy of Joe Biden
* Immigration policy of Donald Trump
* Operation Jump Start
* Operation Faithful Patriot
* List of conflicts involving the Texas Military
* Texas secession movements

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Governor Abbott's Operation Lone Star touts thousands of arrests, $10 billion cost". CBS News. January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
2. ^ "Another National Guard soldier working Operation Lone Star dies by suspected suicide". Texas Tribune. October 4, 2022. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
3. ^ a b c d "US: Texas Troopers' Deadly Vehicle Pursuits". Human Rights Watch. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
4. ^ a b c d e "Texas Marks Third Anniversary Of Operation Lone Star". texas.gov. June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
5. ^ a b Aguilar, Julián (March 9, 2021). "As migrant apprehensions rise, Abbott slams Biden immigration policies in border appearance". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
6. ^ a b "What is Operation Lone Star? Gov. Greg Abbott's controversial border mission, explained". Texas Tribune. March 30, 2022. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
7. ^ Cuellar, Carolina (December 3, 2021). "Operation Lone Star continues indefinitely while the Texas Military Department expands border wall". KERA News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
8. ^ a b c d Winkie, Davis (January 4, 2022). "Another Operation Lone Star soldier dies amid morale crisis". Army Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
9. ^ a b Kriel, Lomi (April 18, 2022). "Texas has spent billions of dollars on border security. But what taxpayers got in return is a mystery". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
10. ^ "Southwest border mission spurs 'mixed feelings' among guardsmen". Reserve & National Guard Magazine. February 1, 2023. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
11. ^ a b c d e "2 Years and $4B Later, What We Know About Operation Lone Star". Governing. January 26, 2023. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
12. ^ a b "Texas sees 74% decrease in illegal border crossings since Operation Lone Star, DPS says". Fox4 Dallas Fort Worth. June 11, 2024.
13. ^ Montoya-Galvez, Camilo (July 18, 2023). "Texas trooper alleges inhumane treatment of migrants by state officials along southern border". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
14. ^ a b Winkie, Davis; Barragán, James; Essig, Chris; Cohen, Rachel S. (February 24, 2022). "Troops slam Operation Lone Star in leaked survey". Army Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
15. ^ a b c "Texas flies over 120 immigrants to Chicago in expansion of Gov. Greg Abbott's busing plan". Texas Tribune. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
16. ^ a b c "Democratic mayors renew pleas for federal help and coordination with Texas over migrant crisis". Associated press. December 27, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
17. ^ "D.C. still struggling to manage growing migrant crisis". Axios. September 7, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
18. ^ a b c d "How Texas Gov. Greg Abbott divided Democrats on immigration with migrant busing". NBC News. December 17, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
19. ^ a b c d "Chicago migrant crisis: Texas bus companies may be making millions transporting new arrivals". ABC7. December 28, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
20. ^ a b c "Democratic-led cities pay for migrants' tickets to other places as resources dwindle". Associated Press. November 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
21. ^ "In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo". The Texas Tribune. January 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
22. ^ "Biden administration warns it will take action if Texas does not stop blocking federal agents from U.S. border area". CBS News. January 15, 2024. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
23. ^ a b "Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime". Texas Tribune. December 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
24. ^ "Texas governor's move sets up showdown with feds over border". The Hill. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
25. ^ Abbott, Greg (May 31, 2022). "Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
26. ^ Abbott, Greg (June 16, 2021). "Governor Abbott Announces Border Wall Construction Strategy". Office of the Texas Governor. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
27. ^ Abbott, Greg (December 18, 2021). "Governor Abbott Debuts Texas Border Wall In Rio Grande City". Office of the Texas Governor. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
28. ^ BARRAGÁN, JAMES (March 14, 2022). "Gov. Greg Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
29. ^ "Governor Abbott Takes Aggressive Action To Secure The Border As President Biden Ends Title 42 Expulsions". Office of the Texas Governor. April 6, 2022. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
30. ^ Abbott, Greg (July 7, 2022). "Executive Order GA 41" (PDF). Office of the Texas Governor. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
31. ^ Abbott, Greg (September 21, 2022). "Governor Abbott Designates Mexican Cartels As Terrorist Organizations". Office of the Texas Governor. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
32. ^ Winkie, Davis (November 18, 2022). "Texas Guard to send tank-like military vehicles to the border". Army Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
33. ^ Abbott, Greg (February 3, 2023). "New Texas Border Czar Joins Operation Lone Star Mission". Office of the Texas Governor. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
34. ^ Cook, Ellie (May 9, 2023). "How Greg Abbott's 'Elite' Texas Tactical Border Force Will Stop Migrants". Newsweek. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
35. ^ Abbott, Greg (May 8, 2023). "Governor Abbott Deploys New Texas Tactical Border Force". Office of the Texas Governor. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
36. ^ a b "Governor Abbott Urges Nation's Governors To Help Combat Border Crisis". texas.gov. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
37. ^ "DPS preparing to patrol Starr County island as part of Operation Lone Star". KRGV. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
38. ^ Garcia, Uriel (January 11, 2024). "Texas officers take "full control" of Eagle Pass park against city's wishes". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
39. ^ "25 states with Republican governors sign letter supporting Texas in border control fight: What to know". USA Today. January 26, 2024.
40. ^ Sandoval, Edgar (February 16, 2024). "Texas Governor Announces New Military Base Camp on Border". New York Times.
41. ^ "Gov. Abbott's Policing of Texas Border Pushes Limits of State Power". The New York Times. July 26, 2023. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
42. ^ "New University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds little confidence in the legislature's efforts to address key issues". utexas.edu. June 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
43. ^ Barragan, James (January 7, 2022). "Texas lawmakers deplore mistreatment of National Guardsmen sent to border duty". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
44. ^ Scherer, Jasper (January 6, 2022). "Texas National Guard struggles to pay soldiers, while slashing tuition help by more than half". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
45. ^ Plohetski, Tony; Hall, Katie (January 13, 2022). "Gov. Abbott's border crackdown Operation Lone Star violates U.S. Constitution, Travis County judge says". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
46. ^ State of Texas v. Curipoma Archived March 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, No. 03-22-00032CR (Tex. App.--Austin, February 25, 2022) (Retrieved March 23, 2025).
47. ^ https://search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=715a43ed-923b-4547-a0e5-0d8f3531fde8&coa=coscca&DT=OPINION&MediaID=7b3ca602-0e59-4332-bfb9-21f9e20403e7
48. ^ Choi, Matthew; Downen, Robert (January 26, 2024). ""Hold the line": Republicans rally to Abbott's defense in border standoff with Biden". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
49. ^ Blankley, Bethany (March 25, 2024). "More than 100 sheriffs express support for Operation Lone Star". The Center Square. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
50. ^ Trevizo, Perla (July 6, 2022). "Justice Department is investigating Texas' Operation Lone Star for alleged civil rights violations". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
51. ^ Montoya-Galvez, Camilo (July 24, 2023). "Biden administration sues Texas over floating border barriers used to repel migrants". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
52. ^ "Response in Opposition to Motion – #26 in United States v. Abbott (W.D. Tex., 1:23-cv-00853) – CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
53. ^ Melhado, William; García, Uriel J. (September 6, 2023). "Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating border barrier. Abbott immediately appeals the ruling". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
54. ^ Vu, Kevin (December 1, 2023). "Texas must remove floating barrier from Rio Grande, Fifth Circuit Court orders". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
55. ^ "Texas Gov. Abbott wins legal maneuver in Fifth Circuit to keep buoy barrier in Rio Grande". Houston Chronicle. January 17, 2023. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
56. ^ "Judge orders federal agents to stop cutting Texas razor wire for now at busy Mexico border crossing". The Associated Press. October 30, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
57. ^ Thayer, Rose L. (November 30, 2023). "Border Patrol agents can resume cutting wire barrier placed at Texas border by Guard troops". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
58. ^ "Supreme Court allows Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire Texas installed at Mexico border". NBC News. January 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
59. ^ García, Uriel J.; Winkie, Davis (January 24, 2024). "Texas' border standoff with feds continues, despite U.S. Supreme Court order". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
60. ^ Salam, Erum (January 26, 2024). "Fight over border intensifies as Texas governor pledges more razor wire". The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
61. ^ "Abbott vows to keep border security fight after Supreme Court rules feds' can cut razor wire". Austin American Statesman. January 23, 2024. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
62. ^ "Abbott doubles down on border 'invasion' declaration after Supreme Court blow". The Hill. January 24, 2024.
63. ^ "Abbott says migrants' camouflage shows border 'invasion' worsening, but it's an old tactic". Dallas Morning News. January 12, 2023.
64. ^ "Texas' Latest Attack on the Biden Administration Is Coming Undone by a Technicality". Slate. July 26, 2023.
65. ^ "Texas's use of 'invasion' clause against immigrants is racist and dangerous, rights groups say". The Guardian. May 29, 2023.
66. ^ "Federal Court Rules Against Texas in Case Where State Claimed Immigration and Drug Smuggling Qualify as "Invasion"y". Reason. September 6, 2023.
67. ^ "Biden administration sues Texas over state's controversial immigration law". CNN. January 3, 2024.
68. ^ Scherer, Jasper (January 3, 2024). "Biden administration sues Texas over new border law that allows state-ordered deportations". Houston Chronicle.
69. ^ "SCOTUS temporarily blocks Texas immigration law, reversing 5th Circuit rulings". Texas Tribune. March 4, 2024.
70. ^ "Supreme Court allows strict Texas SB4 immigration law to take effect for now". ABC News. March 19, 2024.
71. ^ Montoya-Galvez, Camilo (January 12, 2024). "Texas blocks federal border agents from processing migrants in Eagle Pass public park". CBS News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
72. ^ García, Uriel J. (January 11, 2024). "Texas officers take "full control" of Eagle Pass park against city's wishes". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
73. ^ Cuevas, Eduardo (January 20, 2024). "Mexican family's death at border looms over ongoing Justice Department standoff with Texas". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
74. ^ Flores, Rosa; Yan, Holly; Weisfeldt, Sara; Cole, Devan (January 15, 2024). "What we know about the drownings of 3 Mexican migrants near Eagle Pass, Texas". CNN. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
75. ^ a b García, Uriel J.; Winkie, Davis (January 24, 2024). "Texas' border standoff with feds continues, despite U.S. Supreme Court order". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
76. ^ Fanning, Rhonda; Brown, David (January 25, 2024). "Understanding the Supreme Court's ruling on razor wire at the Texas-Mexico border". Texas Public Radio. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
77. ^ Melhado, William (January 22, 2024). "U.S. Supreme Court says Texas can't block federal agents from the border". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
78. ^ Hall, Richard; Baio, Ariana (January 24, 2024). "Texas National Guard faces off against federal government in fight over razor wire". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
79. ^ a b García, Uriel J. (January 22, 2024). "In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
80. ^ Schneider, Andrew (January 24, 2024). "Governor Abbott signals potential defiance of Supreme Court's border ruling". Houston Public Media. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
81. ^ Express-News Editorial Board (January 18, 2024). "Editorial: Are Abbott and Paxton creating a constitutional crisis at border?". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
82. ^ "Gov. Little, Republican Governors band together, issue joint statement supporting Texas' Constitutional Right to Self-Defense". Office of the Governor. January 25, 2024. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
83. ^ Beitsch, Rebecca (January 25, 2024). "Speaker Johnson backs Abbott's border 'invasion' decree". The Hill. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
84. ^ Goldsberry, Jenny (January 26, 2024). "Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to 'absolutely' send National Guard to Texas border". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
85. ^ Huber, Craig (February 12, 2024). "Indiana commits National Guard to Texas-Mexico border as Gov. Abbott vows to install more razor wire". Spectrum News. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
86. ^ Amy, Jeff (February 13, 2024). "Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp says he will aid Texas governor's border standoff with Biden". Associated Press. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
87. ^ Dereuck, Kelly (February 21, 2024). "Gov. Mike Parson to send Missouri National Guard, highway patrol to secure Mexico border". Springfield News-Leader. Yahoo! News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
88. ^ Irwin, Lauren (March 20, 2024). "Sanders sending Arkansas National Guard troops to US border with Mexico". The Hill.
89. ^ Choi, Matthew; Downen, Robert (January 26, 2024). ""Hold the line": Republicans rally to Abbott's defense in border standoff with Biden". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
90. ^ Giaritelli, Anna (January 24, 2024). "The Department of Homeland Security has sent a letter to Texas A.G demanding that Texas National Guard troops allow Federal personal into the area of Shelby Park by this Friday". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
91. ^ Bickerton, James (January 25, 2024). "Joe Biden Faces Growing Calls to Federalize Texas National Guard". Newsweek. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
92. ^ Yan, Holly; Flores, Rosa; Weisfeldt, Sara (January 29, 2024). "Texas seized part of the US-Mexico border and blocked federal Border Patrol agents. Here's what happened next". CNN. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
93. ^ Randazzo, Thad (January 29, 2024). "Attorney General Miyares releases statement in support of Texas Border Defense". WFXRtv. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
94. ^ Hinojosa, Alex (June 8, 2023). "Republican states send national guard troops to Texas border in show of force". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
95. ^ Kriel, Lomi; Trevizo, Perla; Calderón, Andrew Rodriguez; Blakinger, Keri (March 21, 2022). "Texas' Governor Brags About His Border Initiative. The Data Doesn't Back Him Up". ProPublica. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
96. ^ "High-Speed Police Chases Rise Near Texas Border, Leaving Locals on Edge". The New York Times. November 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
97. ^ a b c "Texas' Busing of Migrants to D.C. Isn't Having Abbott's Intended Effect Yet". The New York Times. April 26, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
98. ^ a b c "G.O.P. Gets the Democratic Border Crisis It Wanted". The New York Times. September 8, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
99. ^ a b "Chicago mayor slams Texas Gov. Abbott as 'reckless' after migrant bus arrivals". The Hill. December 27, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
100. ^ "Inside Migrants' Journeys on Greg Abbott's Free Buses to Washington". Time Magazine. September 12, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
101. ^ "Greg Abbott decision to bus migrants to LA condemned as 'despicable stunt'". The Guardian. June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
102. ^ "G.O.P. Governors Cause Havoc by Busing Migrants to East Coast". The New York Times. August 4, 2022. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
103. ^ "NYC sues 17 charter bus companies for $700 million over transporting asylum seekers to the city from Texas". CNN. January 5, 2024. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
104. ^ "Feds deny Bowser's request for National Guard to help with Texas migrants". The Washington Post. August 5, 2022. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
105. ^ "Busing migrants was a partisan lightning rod. Here's why Democrats have embraced it". NPR. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.