Abbott celebrates arrest of nearly 500,000 migrants

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has released a report applauding the state’s arrest of nearly 500,000 migrants, showcasing his efforts to bolster border security. This comes amidst a surge in migrant crossings, with Abbott attributing the situation to President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, which he argues have led to an “invasion” of Texas.

Abbott’s initiatives, including the launch of “Operation Lone Star” in 2021, have drawn both praise and criticism. The operation, a multi-billion dollar endeavor, involves transporting migrants to Democratic-run “sanctuary cities” and implementing inhumane measures such as razor wire and floating barriers along the border.

In his “2024 Report to the People of Texas,” Abbott highlighted the state’s commitment to immigration enforcement, citing over $11 billion allocated to border security and the seizure of 458 million doses of fentanyl. He emphasized that through the end of 2023, Texas had apprehended over 494,400 undocumented immigrants.

“Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden
administration’s refusal to secure the border,” the report reads. “Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open-border policies.”

Abbott’s report highlights his belief that Operation Lone Star addresses gaps in border security left by the Biden administration. However, data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that the majority of fentanyl seizures occur at legal ports of entry, undermining Abbott’s assertions. CBS News also reported last year that from 2017 to 2021, 86% of those arrested for allegedly trafficking fentanyl were American citizens.

Despite controversies surrounding his border policies, Abbott’s popularity in Texas has risen, according to surveys by the Texas Politics Project. However, criticisms persist among some residents regarding his approach to immigration enforcement.

Abbott’s celebration of his immigration efforts coincides with ongoing legal challenges, including a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to extend a stay on a law allowing Texas police to arrest individuals suspected of illegal border crossings.

As Abbott continues to navigate legal battles and public opinion regarding his border policies, the debate over immigration enforcement in Texas remains highly contentious.