Border crisis: Gov. Abbott to expand Operation Lone Star along borderFox7 by Rudy Koski 2/7/2024
EAGLE PASS, Texas - The expansion of border enforcement is expected to target specific locations along the Rio Grande between official Ports of Entry. The promise of a ramp up by Gov. Greg Abbott came on Thursday afternoon at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass.
The site was seized by state officials last year after a series of migrant surges into Texas. The expansion plan comes after 14 governors, earlier this week, told Abbott they would send extra manpower to Texas.
"So, the next step is, working with the National Guard on plans as we speak right now, to expand the National Guard effort along the border region," Gov. Abbott said. "We're going to work on strategies to ensure the capabilities of the National Guard to add more soldiers, more resources, more capabilities, so they can be even more successful."
An enforcement ramp up is supported by State Rep. Ellen Troxclair.
"I think we have no choice," said the Lakeway Republican.
Any increase in enforcement is expected to be condemned by immigration advocates. Troxclair, who is a member of the Texas House Homeland Security Committee, believes the current border policy by the Biden Administration justifies a ramp up.
"We have the constitutional right as a state to secure our state," said Troxclair.
Nearly two dozen state lawmakers, including Rep. Troxclair, were invited to the governor's Thursday event in South Texas. She is not surprised a new enforcement plan will build on what’s been done at Shelby Park.
"The numbers are going down. It is working," Troxclair said. "So, I just think that we have to keep our foot on the gas, keep going, and keep putting up those roadblocks as much as possible for the cartels."
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