{{Short description|2021 to present Texas border operation}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox event | title = Operation Lone Star | image = OLS National Guard along Rio Grande.jpg | image_upright = | image_alt = | caption = Texas National Guard members during Operation Lone Star | date = {{start and end dates|2021|03|06|present}}<br />({{Age in months, weeks and days|year1= 2021 |month1= 3|day1= 6}}) | location = Texas portion of the [[Mexico–United States border]] | also_known_as = | theme = | cause = | motive = | target = [[Illegal immigration to the United States]]<br/>[[Illegal drug trade]]<br/>[[Human smuggling]] | budget = $10 billion as of January 2024<ref>{{Cite news|title=Governor Abbott's Operation Lone Star touts thousands of arrests, $10 billion cost|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/governor-abbotts-operation-lone-star-touts-thousands-of-arrests-10-billion-cost/|date=January 22, 2023|work=CBS News|access-date=January 26, 2024|archive-date=January 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125121641/https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/governor-abbotts-operation-lone-star-touts-thousands-of-arrests-10-billion-cost/|url-status=live}}</ref> | participants = {{flag|Texas}}<br /> [[Texas Military Department]]<br/>[[Texas Department of Public Safety]]<br/>[[Texas Division of Emergency Management]] | outcome = 489 million doses of [[fentanyl]] seized<br /> 119,200 migrants bused to sanctuary cities | casualties1 = | casualties2 = | casualties3 = | reported deaths = 106 dead in pursuits in OLS counties, including 20 bystanders<ref name = "hrw"/> | reported injuries = 301 injured in pursuits in OLS counties<ref name = "hrw"/> | reported missing = | arrests = 538,141 migrant apprehensions<br/>63,659 criminal arrests | charges = 51,091 felony charges<ref name = ":4">{{Cite news |title=Texas Marks Third Anniversary Of Operation Lone Star |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/operation-lone-star-decreases-illegal-crossings-into-texas-by-74 |date=June 14, 2024 |website=texas.gov |access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref> | suspects = | convictions = | notes = | partof = the [[Mexico–United States border crisis]] }}
'''Operation Lone Star''' ('''OLS''') is a joint [[Military operation|operation]] between the [[Texas Department of Public Safety]] and the [[Texas Military Department]] along the [[Mexico–United States border]] in southern [[Texas]]. The operation started in 2021 and is ongoing. According to [[Governor of Texas|Texas governor]] [[Greg Abbott]], the operation is intended to counter a rise in [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigration]], the [[Illegal drug trade in the United States|illegal drug trade]], and [[Human trafficking in the United States|human smuggling]].<ref name="OLS Start">{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Julián |date=9 March 2021 |title=As migrant apprehensions rise, Abbott slams Biden immigration policies in border appearance |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/09/texas-border-immigration-greg-abbott/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730045458/https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/09/texas-border-immigration-greg-abbott/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, migrant apprehensions had risen 278% along the US–Mexico border.<ref name = "OLStextrib"/> According to the center square, OLS has resulted in 538,141 migrant apprehensions, 63,659 criminal arrests (including 51,091 felony charges), and 489 million doses of [[fentanyl]] seized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=contributor |first=Bethany Blankley {{!}} The Center Square |date=2026-03-24 |title=EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_5389ccf1-1461-44c5-96a9-08c1ed66c680.html |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=The Center Square |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name="kera">{{cite news |last1=Cuellar |first1=Carolina |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Operation Lone Star continues indefinitely while the Texas Military Department expands border wall |url=https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2021-12-03/operation-lone-star-continues-indefinitely-while-the-texas-military-department-expands-border-wall |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109131546/https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2021-12-03/operation-lone-star-continues-indefinitely-while-the-texas-military-department-expands-border-wall |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |access-date=January 9, 2022 |publisher=KERA News}}</ref><ref name="winkie">{{cite news |last1=Winkie |first1=Davis |date=January 4, 2022 |title=Another Operation Lone Star soldier dies amid morale crisis |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/01/04/another-operation-lone-star-soldier-dies-amid-morale-crisis/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127035940/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/01/04/another-operation-lone-star-soldier-dies-amid-morale-crisis/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 9, 2022 |agency=Army Times}}</ref> As of April 2022, OLS was spending approximately $2.5 million per week and was expected to cost approximately $2 billion per year.<ref name="OLS History">{{Cite news |last=Kriel |first=Lomi |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Texas has spent billions of dollars on border security. But what taxpayers got in return is a mystery. |work=The Texas Tribune |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/18/texas-border-security-spending/ |access-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427034314/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/18/texas-border-security-spending/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Approximately 10,000 [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] members were deployed in support of OLS at the height of the operation, with around 6,000 deployed as of November 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Southwest border mission spurs 'mixed feelings' among guardsmen|url=https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-deployment/southwest-border-mission-spurs-mixed-feelings-among-guardsmen/|date=February 1, 2023|work=Reserve & National Guard Magazine|access-date=July 31, 2023|archive-date=July 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731024107/https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-deployment/southwest-border-mission-spurs-mixed-feelings-among-guardsmen/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name = "OLSgoverning"/> As of July 2024, the Department of Public Safety has estimated a 85% drop in illegal border crossings since the start of OLS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Lone Star Decreases Illegal Crossings Into Texas By 85% |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/operation-lone-star-decreases-illegal-crossings-into-texas-by-85 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=gov.texas.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref name="OLSJune">{{Cite news |date=June 11, 2024|title=Texas sees 74% decrease in illegal border crossings since Operation Lone Star, DPS says |work=Fox4 Dallas Fort Worth |url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/texas-sees-74-decrease-illegal-border-crossings-since-operation-lone-star-dps-says}}</ref>
OLS has drawn support from many [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] [[Governor (United States)|state governors]]. OLS drew criticism from the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] under then-[[Joe Biden|president Biden]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] governors and [[Mayor|mayors]], and migrant advocates for its treatment of migrants, including the withholding of water and orders to [[Pushback (migration)|push migrants]] back into the [[Rio Grande]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Montoya-Galvez |first=Camilo |date=18 July 2023 |title=Texas trooper alleges inhumane treatment of migrants by state officials along southern border |work=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-border-migrants-treatment-razor-wire-buoys-rio-grande/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730160932/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-border-migrants-treatment-razor-wire-buoys-rio-grande/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 106 deaths and 301 injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-13 |title=US: Texas Vehicle Pursuits Kill At Least 106, Injure 301 {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/13/us-texas-vehicle-pursuits-kill-least-106-injure-301 |access-date=2026-05-02 |language=en}}</ref><ref name = "hrw"/> Texas officials and national guard members have also voiced concerns about hardships sustained during deployment in support of OLS.<ref name="winkie"/><ref name = "natguardsurvey"/>
According to the governor, 119,200 migrants were voluntarily bused to [[sanctuary cities]] across the United States as of June 2024.<ref name = ":4"/> A few migrants were also flown directly to these cities.<ref name = "migrantflying">{{Cite news |date=December 20, 2023 |title=Texas flies over 120 immigrants to Chicago in expansion of Gov. Greg Abbott's busing plan |work=[[Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/texas-plane-immigrants-chicago-greg-abbott-busing/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113031635/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/texas-plane-immigrants-chicago-greg-abbott-busing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "APDec27"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 2023 |title=D.C. still struggling to manage growing migrant crisis |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/07/dc-migrant-shelters-housing |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113031645/https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/07/dc-migrant-shelters-housing |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "NBCDec17"/><ref name = "abc7dec28">{{Cite news |date=December 28, 2023 |title=Chicago migrant crisis: Texas bus companies may be making millions transporting new arrivals |work=ABC7 |url=https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-migrant-crisis-bus-fines-texas-greg-abbott/14308208/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113031635/https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-migrant-crisis-bus-fines-texas-greg-abbott/14308208/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "APDec27">{{Cite news |date=December 27, 2023 |title=Democratic mayors renew pleas for federal help and coordination with Texas over migrant crisis |work=Associated press |url=https://apnews.com/article/texas-migrants-chicago-denver-new-york-19dc11f6aca43cd4829e8abae55767e7 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113031635/https://apnews.com/article/texas-migrants-chicago-denver-new-york-19dc11f6aca43cd4829e8abae55767e7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "APNov19"/>
In January 2024, Texas officials seized control of [[Shelby Park (Eagle Pass)|Shelby Park]] in [[Eagle Pass, Texas|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 [[Presidency of Joe Biden|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.<ref name = "textribjan22">{{cite web | title=In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo | website=The Texas Tribune | date=January 22, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/ | access-date=January 26, 2024 | archive-date=January 25, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125173745/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "CBSjan15">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 2024 |title=Biden administration warns it will take action if Texas does not stop blocking federal agents from U.S. border area |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eagle-pass-shelby-park-biden-cease-and-desist-texas/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126045300/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eagle-pass-shelby-park-biden-cease-and-desist-texas/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Smart Wall == On July 4th, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] signed the [[One Big Beautiful Bill Act]], and allocating $46.5 billion to continue construction on the [[Mexico-United States border wall]]. This includes a combination of a double wall, water barriers, and sensors to help with detection. They also included roads, lights and cameras to be constructed and installed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smart Wall Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} U.S. Customs and Border Protection |url=https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/smart-wall-map/faqs |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=www.cbp.gov |language=en}}</ref>
* The federal government’s $4.5 billion "Smart Wall" project will add hundreds of miles of high-tech border security, including detection systems through Big Bend National Park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ardary |first=Steven |date=2025-10-29 |title='Smart Wall' border technology planned for Big Bend National Park area |url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/big-bend-texas-border-security |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=FOX 4 |language=en-US}}</ref> * The Big Bend National Park, could soon have new border security under the federal government's "Smart Wall" initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ardary |first=Steven |date=2025-10-29 |title='Smart Wall' border technology planned for Big Bend National Park area |url=https://www.fox4news.com/news/big-bend-texas-border-security |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=FOX 4 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Demographics == While it isn't talked about much the different demographics of people coming through the Texas border is a wide range. On May 4, 2024, an article was published with a graph that showed the influx of people crossing the borders. The graph states that Texas receives people from all over the world. Texas receives Haitians, Asians, Turkish, and Guatemalans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-04 |title=There’s been a major shift in demographics at the border. Here’s what’s behind the change. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/demographics-migration-us-are-rapidly-shifting-s-change-rcna149623 |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
== Different States that have been Deployed to help == So far some different states that have helped assist Texas National Guard and Deployed personnel in Governor Greg Abbotts OLS mission have been - Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming - Have all stepped up to help Texas secure the border.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Lone Star Gains National Support From State Governors |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/operation-lone-star-gains-national-support-from-state-governors |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=gov.texas.gov |language=en}}</ref>
== Background and causes == {{See also|Immigration reform in the United States}}
Starting with "Operation Linebacker" by former governor [[Rick Perry]], the State of Texas has been launching [[List of conflicts involving the Texas Military|border security operations]] with increasing escalation since 2005.<ref name="OLS History" /> These operations were limited in scope due to the exclusive authority of federal immigration agents to deport migrants.<ref name = "OLSgoverning"/> 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.<ref name = "OLStextrib">{{Cite news |title=What is Operation Lone Star? Gov. Greg Abbott's controversial border mission, explained. |work=[[Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/30/operation-lone-star-texas-explained/ |date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109205501/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/30/operation-lone-star-texas-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name = "OLSgoverning">{{Cite news |title=2 Years and $4B Later, What We Know About Operation Lone Star |work=Governing |url=https://www.governing.com/now/2-years-and-4b-later-what-we-know-about-operation-lone-star |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109210331/https://www.governing.com/now/2-years-and-4b-later-what-we-know-about-operation-lone-star |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] overturned an Arizona law penalizing illegal immigration at a state level.<ref name = "SB3"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Texas governor's move sets up showdown with feds over border |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4368546-texas-governor-abbott-border-policy-sets-up-showdown-feds/ |date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113052747/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4368546-texas-governor-abbott-border-policy-sets-up-showdown-feds/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Timeline == {| class="wikitable" |+Developments in Operation Lone Star !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Notable Event |- |March 6, 2021 |Operation Lone Star is launched<ref name="OLS Start" /> |- |May 31, 2021 |[[Greg Abbott]] declares disaster via Proclamation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas |url=https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/DISASTER_border_security_IMAGE_05-31-2021.pdf |access-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508060145/https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/DISASTER_border_security_IMAGE_05-31-2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |June 16, 2021 |Greg Abbott announces border wall construction strategy<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=June 16, 2021 |title=Governor Abbott Announces Border Wall Construction Strategy |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-border-wall-construction-strategy |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503063335/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-border-wall-construction-strategy |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |December 18, 2021 |First section of border wall completed in [[Rio Grande City, Texas|Rio Grande City]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=December 18, 2021 |title=Governor Abbott Debuts Texas Border Wall In Rio Grande City |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-debuts-texas-border-wall-in-rio-grande-city |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503064839/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-debuts-texas-border-wall-in-rio-grande-city |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |March 14, 2022 |Major General [[Tracy R. Norris|Tracy Norris]] is relieved of command<ref>{{Cite news |last=BARRAGÁN |first=JAMES |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Gov. Greg Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission |work=The Texas Tribune |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/14/texas-greg-abbott-border-military-thomas-suelzer/ |access-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503052923/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/14/texas-greg-abbott-border-military-thomas-suelzer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |April 6, 2022 |Bus and flight of immigrants to [[sanctuary city]] Washington, D.C., begin<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Governor Abbott Takes Aggressive Action To Secure The Border As President Biden Ends Title 42 Expulsions |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-takes-aggressive-action-to-secure-the-border-as-president-biden-ends-title-42-expulsions |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503052925/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-takes-aggressive-action-to-secure-the-border-as-president-biden-ends-title-42-expulsions |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |July 7, 2022 |Greg Abbott declares invasion via Executive Order GA-41<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Executive Order GA 41 |url=https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-41.pdf |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419235936/https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-41.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |September 21, 2022 |Greg Abbott designates Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations via Executive Order GA-42<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Governor Abbott Designates Mexican Cartels As Terrorist Organizations |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-designates-mexican-cartels-as-terrorist-organizations#:~:text=Governor%20Greg%20Abbott%20today%20issued,the%20growing%20national%20fentanyl%20crisis. |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503063224/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-designates-mexican-cartels-as-terrorist-organizations#:~:text=Governor%20Greg%20Abbott%20today%20issued,the%20growing%20national%20fentanyl%20crisis. |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |November 18, 2022 |[[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113 armored personnel carriers]] are deployed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Winkie |first=Davis |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Texas Guard to send tank-like military vehicles to the border |work=Army Times |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/11/18/texas-guard-to-send-tank-like-military-vehicles-to-the-border/ |access-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127040047/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/11/18/texas-guard-to-send-tank-like-military-vehicles-to-the-border/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |February 3, 2023 |Greg Abbott establishes [[Special Advisor on Border Matters to the Governor of Texas and Texas Border Czar|Texas Border Czar]] position, appoints [[Mike Banks (law enforcement officer)|Mike Banks]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=February 3, 2023 |title=New Texas Border Czar Joins Operation Lone Star Mission |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/new-texas-border-czar-joins-operation-lone-star-mission |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503061647/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/new-texas-border-czar-joins-operation-lone-star-mission |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |May 8, 2023 |Greg Abbott establishes and deploys Texas Tactical Border Force<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cook |first=Ellie |date=May 9, 2023 |title=How Greg Abbott's 'Elite' Texas Tactical Border Force Will Stop Migrants |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/texas-border-tactical-force-title-42-greg-abbott-1799166 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127035940/https://www.newsweek.com/texas-border-tactical-force-title-42-greg-abbott-1799166 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Greg |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Governor Abbott Deploys New Texas Tactical Border Force |url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-deploys-new-texas-tactical-border-force#:~:text=The%20Texas%20Tactical%20Border%20Force%20and%20Operation%20Lone%20Star%20are,building%20our%20own%20border%20wall. |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Office of the Texas Governor |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515011747/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-deploys-new-texas-tactical-border-force#:~:text=The%20Texas%20Tactical%20Border%20Force%20and%20Operation%20Lone%20Star%20are,building%20our%20own%20border%20wall. |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |May 16, 2023 |Texas requests assistance from other states, utilizing the [[Emergency Management Assistance Compact]].<ref name = "EMAC"/> |- |October 2, 2023 |The Texas Ranger Division and [[Texas Army National Guard]] occupied [[Fronton Island]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=DPS preparing to patrol Starr County island as part of Operation Lone Star |url=http://www.krgv.com/news/dps-preparing-to-patrol-starr-county-island-as-part-of-operation-lone-starr/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=KRGV |language=en}}</ref> |- |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.<ref name = "SB3">{{Cite news |title=Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime |work=Texas Tribune |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/18/texas-governor-abbott-bills-border-wall-illegal-entry-crime-sb3-sb4/ |date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113045003/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/18/texas-governor-abbott-bills-border-wall-illegal-entry-crime-sb3-sb4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |January 11, 2024 |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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Uriel |date=January 11, 2024 |title=Texas officers take "full control" of Eagle Pass park against city's wishes |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-border-eagle-pass-park-seized-dps-immigration/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116163943/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-border-eagle-pass-park-seized-dps-immigration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |January 25, 2024 |25 Republican state governors declare their support for Texas in its disputes with Federal authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2024 |title=25 states with Republican governors sign letter supporting Texas in border control fight: What to know |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/26/texas-border-dispute-gop-states-support-letter/72364737007/ |work=USA Today}}</ref> |- |February 16, 2024 |Greg Abbott announces FOB Eagle, an 80-acre [[forward operating base]] at Eagle Pass for 2,300 soldiers<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandoval |first=Edgar |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Texas Governor Announces New Military Base Camp on Border |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/us/texas-border-camp-national-guard.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> |- |April 19, 2024 |Additional resources were sent to help secure border in El Paso due to a surge of illegal immigrants. |- |May 31, 2024 | Texas National Guard soldiers were welcomed Governor Abbott during their move to the base camp in Eagle Pass.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Operation Lone Star: In the News {{!}} Department of Public Safety |url=https://www.dps.texas.gov/operationlonestar |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.dps.texas.gov}}</ref> |- |September 23, 2024 |Greg Abbott announces Texas is launching an operation to target Venezuelan gang [[Tren de Aragua]] (TdA)<ref name=":1" /> |}
== Reactions == === Public === 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gov. Abbott's Policing of Texas Border Pushes Limits of State Power |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/us/texas-greg-abbott-border-migrants.html |date=July 26, 2023 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726121844/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/us/texas-greg-abbott-border-migrants.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds little confidence in the legislature's efforts to address key issues |url=https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/new-university-texastexas-politics-project-poll-finds-little-confidence-legislature%E2%80%99s-efforts |date=June 22, 2023 |website=utexas.edu |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726121845/https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/new-university-texastexas-politics-project-poll-finds-little-confidence-legislature%E2%80%99s-efforts |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name="winkie"/><ref name="ttt">{{cite news |last1=Barragan |first1=James |title=Texas lawmakers deplore mistreatment of National Guardsmen sent to border duty |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/07/texas-border-national-guard-pay-suicides/ |access-date=January 9, 2022 |publisher=The Texas Tribune |date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109131545/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/07/texas-border-national-guard-pay-suicides/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="winkie"/> 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.<ref name="hc">{{cite news |last1=Scherer |first1=Jasper |title=Texas National Guard struggles to pay soldiers, while slashing tuition help by more than half |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Delayed-pay-benefit-cuts-vex-Texas-National-16752797.php |access-date=January 9, 2022 |publisher=Houston Chronicle |date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108161334/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Delayed-pay-benefit-cuts-vex-Texas-National-16752797.php |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "natguardsurvey">{{Cite news |last1=Winkie |first1=Davis |last2=Barragán |first2=James |last3=Essig |first3=Chris |last4=Cohen |first4=Rachel S. |date=24 February 2022 |title=Troops slam Operation Lone Star in leaked survey |work=[[Army Times]] |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/02/24/troops-slam-operation-lone-star-in-leaked-survey/ |access-date=30 July 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127040050/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/02/24/troops-slam-operation-lone-star-in-leaked-survey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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]].<ref name="habeas">{{cite news |last1=Plohetski |first1=Tony |last2=Hall |first2=Katie |title=Gov. Abbott's border crackdown Operation Lone Star violates U.S. Constitution, Travis County judge says |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/01/13/greg-abbott-texas-mexico-border-unconstitutional-judge-district/6510864001/ |access-date=January 16, 2022 |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |date=January 13, 2022 |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117225556/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/01/13/greg-abbott-texas-mexico-border-unconstitutional-judge-district/6510864001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 25, 2022, the [[Texas Courts of Appeals|state Third Court of Appeals]] in Austin affirmed the decision of the lower court.<ref>''[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1650466502659741900&q=Texas+v.+Curipoma&hl=en&as_sdt=6,44 State of Texas v. Curipoma] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324023920/https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1650466502659741900&q=Texas+v.+Curipoma&hl=en&as_sdt=6,44 |date=March 24, 2022 }}'', No. 03-22-00032CR (Tex. App.--Austin, February 25, 2022) (Retrieved March 23, 2025).</ref> On June 26, 2024, the Court of Criminal Appeals vacated the Third Court of Appeals decision and remanded the case for reconsideration.<ref>https://search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=715a43ed-923b-4547-a0e5-0d8f3531fde8&coa=coscca&DT=OPINION&MediaID=7b3ca602-0e59-4332-bfb9-21f9e20403e7</ref>
Republican Party officials in multiple states and in federal positions supported Texas' efforts and criticized opposition from the Biden administration.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | last1=Choi | first1=Matthew | last2=Downen | first2=Robert | title="Hold the line": Republicans rally to Abbott's defense in border standoff with Biden | website=The Texas Tribune | date=January 26, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/25/greg-abbott-border-republicans-joe-biden/ | access-date=January 26, 2024 | archive-date=January 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126002137/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/25/greg-abbott-border-republicans-joe-biden/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
More than 100 sheriffs in Texas have publicly backed OLS.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blankley |first1=Bethany |title=More than 100 sheriffs express support for Operation Lone Star |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_5d0d598c-eaf7-11ee-9265-cb6217208da5.html |publisher=[[The Center Square]] |access-date=7 July 2024 |date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
Many people support OLS, as of February 10, 2025 there has been an estimated amount of 56 million dollars donated to fund, the border wall, border transportation, and border security. This funding is from donations from Americans all over not only in Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Lone Star |url=https://gov.texas.gov/operationlonestar |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=gov.texas.gov |language=en}}</ref>
=== Department of Justice investigation and lawsuits === [[File:OLS Rio Grande Barrier Construction.png|thumb|Construction of the Rio Grande barriers by OLS]] ====Civil rights investigation==== In July 2022, the Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation of OLS.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trevizo |first=Perla |date=6 July 2022 |title=Justice Department is investigating Texas' Operation Lone Star for alleged civil rights violations |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/06/operation-lone-star-doj-investigation-abbott/ |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725024944/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/06/operation-lone-star-doj-investigation-abbott/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.
====Federal lawsuits==== 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Montoya-Galvez |first=Camilo |date=24 July 2023 |title=Biden administration sues Texas over floating border barriers used to repel migrants |work=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-justice-department-lawsuit-border-barriers-rio-grande/ |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725022024/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-justice-department-lawsuit-border-barriers-rio-grande/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a statement announcing the lawsuit, [[United States Associate Attorney General|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 [[Constitution of the United States|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Response in Opposition to Motion – #26 in United States v. Abbott (W.D. Tex., 1:23-cv-00853) – CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67630985/26/united-states-v-abbott/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817153627/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67630985/26/united-states-v-abbott/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 6, the district court granted the DOJ's motion for a [[Injunction|preliminary injunction]] and ordered Texas to move the barrier to the bank of the river and cease the installation of any new barriers.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Melhado |first1=William |last2=García |first2=Uriel J. |date=6 September 2023 |title=Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating border barrier. Abbott immediately appeals the ruling. |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/06/texas-border-floating-barrier-buoys-federal-judge-ruling/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907210151/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/06/texas-border-floating-barrier-buoys-federal-judge-ruling/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vu |first=Kevin |date=1 December 2023 |title=Texas must remove floating barrier from Rio Grande, Fifth Circuit Court orders |work=The Texas Tribune |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/01/texas-border-floating-barrier-fifth-circuit-court-ruling-remove/ |access-date=2 December 2023 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202124144/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/01/texas-border-floating-barrier-fifth-circuit-court-ruling-remove/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2023 |title=Texas Gov. Abbott wins legal maneuver in Fifth Circuit to keep buoy barrier in Rio Grande |work=Houston Chronicle |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/fifth-circuit-buoy-lawsuit-rio-grade-18613406.php |access-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120005339/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/fifth-circuit-buoy-lawsuit-rio-grade-18613406.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Infobox court case | name = Department of Homeland Security v. Texas | court = [[Western District of Texas]] | judge = [[Alia Moses]] | start date = October 24, 2023 | CourtSeal = Seal of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.svg | appealed to = [[Fifth Circuit]] | subsequent_actions = 5th circuit ruling stayed by supreme court via [[shadow docket]]<ref>{{cite web |title=ORDER IN PENDING CASE |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/012224zr_fd9g.pdf |website=[[supremecourt.gov]] |date=January 22, 2024}}</ref> | docket = [https://clearinghouse.net/case/45148/ 2:23-cv-00055] (W.D. Tex.) <br> 23-50869 (5th Cir.) <br> [https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23A607.html 23A607] (SCOTUS) }} 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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Judge orders federal agents to stop cutting Texas razor wire for now at busy Mexico border crossing |work=[[The Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/texas-razor-wire-border-mexico-immigration-0f1367a868f99591026a092c2c9abecc |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030233446/https://apnews.com/article/texas-razor-wire-border-mexico-immigration-0f1367a868f99591026a092c2c9abecc |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 30, the court withdrew the injunction, allowing the Border Patrol to resume cutting the wire pending a trial in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thayer |first=Rose L. |date=30 November 2023 |title=Border Patrol agents can resume cutting wire barrier placed at Texas border by Guard troops |work=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-11-30/texas-border-mexico-migrants-barbed-wire-national-guard-12217084.html |access-date=2 December 2023 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202133622/https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-11-30/texas-border-mexico-migrants-barbed-wire-national-guard-12217084.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Supreme Court allows Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire Texas installed at Mexico border |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-allows-border-patrol-agents-remove-razor-wire-installed-rcna132890 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124013158/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-allows-border-patrol-agents-remove-razor-wire-installed-rcna132890 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "scotusjan24">{{cite web | last1=García | first1=Uriel J. | last2=Winkie | first2=Davis | title=Texas' border standoff with feds continues, despite U.S. Supreme Court order | website=The Texas Tribune | date=January 24, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/24/texas-border-wire-supreme-court/ | access-date=January 25, 2024 | archive-date=January 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124235002/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/24/texas-border-wire-supreme-court/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Salam |first=Erum |date=January 26, 2024 |title=Fight over border intensifies as Texas governor pledges more razor wire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/26/border-fight-texas-greg-abbott-razor-wire |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The case is ongoing and is scheduled to be argued before the Fifth Circuit on February 7, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abbott vows to keep border security fight after Supreme Court rules feds' can cut razor wire |work=[[Austin American Statesman]] |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/01/23/texas-border-razor-wire-supreme-court-decision-governor-greg-abbott-ken-paxton-feds-feud/72324361007/ |date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126053546/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/01/23/texas-border-razor-wire-supreme-court-decision-governor-greg-abbott-ken-paxton-feds-feud/72324361007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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 [[Guarantee Clause|Article IV, Section 4]] of the Constitution, thus empowering the state to act under [[Article One of the United States Constitution#Clause 3: Compact Clause|Article I, Section 10, Clause 3]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abbott doubles down on border 'invasion' declaration after Supreme Court blow |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/latino/4427387-abbott-texas-border-invasion-supreme-court-immigration/ |date=January 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Abbott says migrants' camouflage shows border 'invasion' worsening, but it's an old tactic |work=Dallas Morning News |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/01/12/abbott-says-migrants-in-military-style-gear-are-crossing-border-in-invasion-of-texas/ |date=January 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Texas' Latest Attack on the Biden Administration Is Coming Undone by a Technicality |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/07/biden-versus-texas-greg-abbott-fail.html |date=July 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Texas's use of 'invasion' clause against immigrants is racist and dangerous, rights groups say |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/29/texas-invasion-clause-migrants-racist-dangerous |date=May 29, 2023}}</ref> Texas has also unsuccessfully attempted to use this argument in federal court.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Federal Court Rules Against Texas in Case Where State Claimed Immigration and Drug Smuggling Qualify as "Invasion"y |work=Reason |url=https://reason.com/volokh/2023/09/06/federal-court-rules-against-texas-in-case-where-state-claimed-immigration-and-drug-smuggling-qualify-as-invasion/ |date=September 6, 2023}}</ref>
On January 3, 2024, the Biden administration filed ''[[United States v. Texas (2024)|United States v. Texas]]'', a lawsuit challenging [[Texas Senate Bill 4 (2023)|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.<ref>{{cite web | title=Biden administration sues Texas over state's controversial immigration law | website=CNN | date=January 3, 2024 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/03/politics/texas-immigration-law-doj-lawsuit/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Biden administration sues Texas over new border law that allows state-ordered deportations | website=Houston Chronicle | date=January 3, 2024 | url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/biden-lawsuit-border-law-18588009.php | last1=Scherer | first1=Jasper }}</ref> The United States Supreme Court issued a stay temporarily blocking SB 4 from going into effect on March 4, 2024.<ref>{{cite news | title=SCOTUS temporarily blocks Texas immigration law, reversing 5th Circuit rulings | website=Texas Tribune | date=March 4, 2024 | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/04/texas-sb4-illegal-immigration-law-5th-circuit-court-ruling/}}</ref> The Supreme Court rejected a later request for a stay and allowed the law to go into effect pending ongoing litigation on March 19.<ref>{{cite news | title=Supreme Court allows strict Texas SB4 immigration law to take effect for now | website=ABC News | date=March 19, 2024 | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-allows-strict-texas-sb4-immigration-law/story?id=108248478}}</ref>
====Eagle Pass park standoff==== On January 11, 2024, the [[Texas Military Forces|Texas National Guard]] took control of [[Shelby Park (Eagle Pass)|Shelby Park]], a {{convert|47|acre|adj=on}} area of parkland in the town of [[Eagle Pass, Texas|Eagle Pass]], along the [[Rio Grande]] river, which separates the [[Mexico–United States border|United States from Mexico]], after [[Governor of Texas|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 [[United States Border Patrol|U.S. Border Patrol]] agents from patrolling the area, which the Border Patrol had been using to hold migrants in recent weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montoya-Galvez |first=Camilo |date=2024-01-12 |title=Texas blocks federal border agents from processing migrants in Eagle Pass public park |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-blocks-federal-border-agents-processing-migrants-eagle-pass-shelby-park/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125212909/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-blocks-federal-border-agents-processing-migrants-eagle-pass-shelby-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=García |first=Uriel J. |date=2024-01-11 |title=Texas officers take "full control" of Eagle Pass park against city's wishes |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-border-eagle-pass-park-seized-dps-immigration/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116163943/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-border-eagle-pass-park-seized-dps-immigration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mexican family's death at border looms over ongoing Justice Department standoff with Texas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/20/drowning-rio-grande-migrants-texas-border-patrol/72268305007/ |first=Eduardo |last=Cuevas |date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=2024-01-26 |work=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124100859/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/20/drowning-rio-grande-migrants-texas-border-patrol/72268305007/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Rosa |last2=Yan |first2=Holly |last3=Weisfeldt |first3=Sara |last4=Cole |first4=Devan |date=2024-01-15 |title=What we know about the drownings of 3 Mexican migrants near Eagle Pass, Texas |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/15/us/what-we-know-about-the-drownings-of-3-migrants-in-eagle-pass-texas/index.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125191144/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/15/us/what-we-know-about-the-drownings-of-3-migrants-in-eagle-pass-texas/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name = "textribjan24"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Understanding the Supreme Court's ruling on razor wire at the Texas-Mexico border|url=https://www.tpr.org/news/2024-01-25/understanding-the-supreme-courts-ruling-on-razor-wire-at-the-texas-mexico-border|first1=Rhonda|last1=Fanning|first2=David|last2=Brown|date=January 25, 2024|website=Texas Public Radio|language=en|access-date=January 26, 2024|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126023906/https://www.tpr.org/news/2024-01-25/understanding-the-supreme-courts-ruling-on-razor-wire-at-the-texas-mexico-border|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 24, Abbott responded that Texas would refuse to let federal authorities access the park, vowing to "protect the sovereignty of our state".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melhado |first=William |date=2024-01-22 |title=U.S. Supreme Court says Texas can't block federal agents from the border |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-supreme-court-immigration/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124234959/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-supreme-court-immigration/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "textribjan24">{{Cite web |last1=García |first1=Uriel J. |last2=Winkie |first2=Davis |date=2024-01-24 |title=Texas' border standoff with feds continues, despite U.S. Supreme Court order |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/24/texas-border-wire-supreme-court/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124235002/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/24/texas-border-wire-supreme-court/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Texas National Guard faces off against federal government in fight over razor wire |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/texas-national-guard-eagle-pass-b2484023.html |first1=Richard |last1=Hall |first2=Ariana |last2=Baio |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124234958/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/texas-national-guard-eagle-pass-b2484023.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=García |first=Uriel J. |date=2024-01-22 |title=In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125173745/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Governor Abbott signals potential defiance of Supreme Court's border ruling |first=Andrew |last=Schneider |work=[[KUHT|Houston Public Media]] |date=January 24, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/border/2024/01/24/475398/governor-abbott-signals-potential-defiance-of-supreme-courts-border-ruling/ |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125003838/https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/border/2024/01/24/475398/governor-abbott-signals-potential-defiance-of-supreme-courts-border-ruling/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Editorial: Are Abbott and Paxton creating a constitutional crisis at border? |author=Express-News Editorial Board |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |url=https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/border-drownings-authority-18614619.php |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125212317/https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/border-drownings-authority-18614619.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision, 25 other [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Republican Governors Association|state governors]] (every Republican governor but Vermont's [[Phil Scott]]) announced their support for Texas in the dispute, as did [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|U.S. House speaker]] [[Mike Johnson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-republican-governors-band-together-issue-joint-statement-supporting-texas-constitutional-right-to-self-defense/ |title=Gov. Little, Republican Governors band together, issue joint statement supporting Texas' Constitutional Right to Self-Defense |publisher=Office of the Governor |date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125220010/https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-republican-governors-band-together-issue-joint-statement-supporting-texas-constitutional-right-to-self-defense/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Speaker Johnson backs Abbott's border 'invasion' decree |first=Rebecca |last=Beitsch |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=January 25, 2024 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4428993-speaker-johnson-backs-abbotts-border-invasion-decree/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126035826/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4428993-speaker-johnson-backs-abbotts-border-invasion-decree/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] additionally committed to sending more resources after previously sending the [[Florida National Guard]] to reinforce the Texas government.<ref name=":0" /> Oklahoma Governor [[Kevin Stitt]] pledged to deploy the [[Oklahoma National Guard]] to support Texas, and Indiana Governor [[Eric Holcomb]] announced that 50 [[Indiana National Guard]]smen would arrive in Texas by mid-March.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsberry |first=Jenny |date=2024-01-26 |title=Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to 'absolutely' send National Guard to Texas border |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2820303/kevin-stitt-to-absolutely-send-national-guard-to-border/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126182346/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2820303/kevin-stitt-to-absolutely-send-national-guard-to-border/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Huber |first1=Craig |title=Indiana commits National Guard to Texas-Mexico border as Gov. Abbott vows to install more razor wire |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2024/02/12/indiana-commits-national-guard-to-texas-mexico-border-as-gov--abbott-vows-to-install-more-razor-wire |work=[[Spectrum News]] |access-date=13 February 2024 |date=12 February 2024}}</ref> Georgia Governor [[Brian Kemp]] stated 15 to 20 [[Georgia National Guard]] troops would be sent to Texas.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amy |first1=Jeff |title=Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp says he will aid Texas governor's border standoff with Biden |url=https://apnews.com/article/georgia-texas-brian-kemp-border-immigration-4d9c8488e983c9fecdd106b0bc4209e5 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=22 June 2024 |date=13 February 2024}}</ref> In Missouri, Governor [[Mike Parson]] issued an executive order to deploy up to 200 [[Missouri National Guard]] troops to Texas, as well as 22 [[Missouri State Highway Patrol|state troopers]] "on a voluntary basis".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dereuck |first1=Kelly |title=Gov. Mike Parson to send Missouri National Guard, highway patrol to secure Mexico border |url=https://news.yahoo.com/gov-mike-parson-send-missouri-220023941.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |work=[[Springfield News-Leader]] |agency=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=February 21, 2024}}</ref> Arkansas Governor [[Sarah Huckabee Sanders]] stated that approximately 40 [[Arkansas National Guard]] members would be deployed in Texas from April 1 through May 30.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Irwin |first1=Lauren |title=Sanders sending Arkansas National Guard troops to US border with Mexico |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4544155-sanders-sending-arkansas-national-guard-troops-to-border/ |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> Other state and national Republican officials backed Texas.<ref name="auto"/>
On January 23, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=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. |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |first=Anna |last=Giaritelli |date=January 24, 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2814985/biden-administration-demands-texas-grant-dhs-access-border/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126073722/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2814985/biden-administration-demands-texas-grant-dhs-access-border/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 24, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Texas representatives [[Joaquin Castro]] and [[Greg Casar]] called for U.S. President [[Joe Biden]] to establish federal control over the Texas National Guard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-faces-growing-calls-federalize-texas-national-guard-1863839|title=Joe Biden Faces Growing Calls to Federalize Texas National Guard|first=James|last=Bickerton|website=[[Newsweek]]|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=January 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125232357/https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-faces-growing-calls-federalize-texas-national-guard-1863839|url-status=live}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/27/us/texas-eagle-pass-us-mexico-border/index.html|title=Texas seized part of the US-Mexico border and blocked federal Border Patrol agents. Here's what happened next|first1=Holly|last1=Yan|first2=Rosa|last2=Flores|first3=Sara|last3=Weisfeldt|date=January 29, 2024|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 30, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129225419/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/27/us/texas-eagle-pass-us-mexico-border/index.html|archivedate=January 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Randazzo |first=Thad |date=2024-01-29 |title=Attorney General Miyares releases statement in support of Texas Border Defense |url=https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/regional-news/virginia-news/attorney-general-miyares-releases-statement-in-support-of-texas-border-defense/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=WFXRtv |language=en-US |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130211108/https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/regional-news/virginia-news/attorney-general-miyares-releases-statement-in-support-of-texas-border-defense/ |archivedate=2024-01-30}}</ref>
=== Other states === On May 16, 2023, Abbott requested assistance from other state governors through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.<ref name = "EMAC">{{cite web | title=Governor Abbott Urges Nation's Governors To Help Combat Border Crisis | url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-urges-nations-governors-to-help-combat-border-crisis | date=May 16, 2023 | website=texas.gov | access-date=June 1, 2023 | archive-date=June 1, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601054447/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-urges-nations-governors-to-help-combat-border-crisis | url-status=live }}</ref> As of June 2023, 14 states have sent about 500 national guard{{quantify|date=January 2024}}<!-- token numbers? substantive personnel to support Texas? --> and law enforcement officers to Texas in response, with [[Florida]] providing the most additional personnel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hinojosa |first=Alex |title=Republican states send national guard troops to Texas border in show of force |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/08/texas-border-immigration-florida-desantis-national-guard-republican |date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729040508/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/08/texas-border-immigration-florida-desantis-national-guard-republican |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Results == Texas Governor Abbott claims OLS has resulted in 513,700 migrant apprehensions, 44,000 criminal arrests (including 38,600 felony charges), and 489 million doses of fentanyl seized as of June 2024.<ref name = ":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.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kriel |first1=Lomi |last2=Trevizo |first2=Perla |last3=Calderón |first3=Andrew Rodriguez |last4=Blakinger |first4=Keri |date=21 March 2022 |title=Texas' Governor Brags About His Border Initiative. The Data Doesn't Back Him Up. |work=[[ProPublica]] |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-governor-brags-about-his-border-initiative-the-data-doesnt-back-him-up |access-date=24 July 2022 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725015208/https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-governor-brags-about-his-border-initiative-the-data-doesnt-back-him-up |url-status=live }}</ref> After those arrests were removed, later reports found DPS still continues to include arrests unrelated to Operation Lone Star in the operation's results.
High speed chases of migrants led by US citizens and Texas state police have risen in Texas, dozens of which are fatal.<ref>{{Cite news |title=High-Speed Police Chases Rise Near Texas Border, Leaving Locals on Edge |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/us/texas-border-police-chases.html |date=November 23, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126170258/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/us/texas-border-police-chases.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "hrw">{{Cite news |title=US: Texas Troopers' Deadly Vehicle Pursuits |work=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/27/us-texas-troopers-deadly-vehicle-pursuits |date=November 27, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126231801/https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/27/us-texas-troopers-deadly-vehicle-pursuits |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name = "OLSgoverning"/>
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.<ref name = "OLSgoverning"/> In June 2024, the Department of Public Safety reported that Texas experienced a 74% decrease in illegal border crossings since the start of OLS.<ref name="OLSJune"/>
==Bussing to sanctuary cities== {{See also|New York City migrant housing crisis|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.<ref name = "NYTApril26"/><ref name = "migrantflying"/> 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.<ref name = "NBCDec17">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2023 |title=How Texas Gov. Greg Abbott divided Democrats on immigration with migrant busing |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-divided-democrats-immigration-migrant-busing-rcna128815 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113031635/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-divided-democrats-immigration-migrant-busing-rcna128815 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "NYTsep8"/><ref name = "TheHillDec27">{{Cite news |title=Chicago mayor slams Texas Gov. Abbott as 'reckless' after migrant bus arrivals |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4379371-chicago-mayor-slams-texas-gov-abbott-as-reckless-after-migrant-bus-arrivals/ |date=December 27, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113043859/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4379371-chicago-mayor-slams-texas-gov-abbott-as-reckless-after-migrant-bus-arrivals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Abbott has also mocked leaders of cities he sent migrants to for saying that they welcome immigrants.<ref name = "migrantflying"/><ref name = "NYTApril26"/> Some migrant advocates reported instances of buses being sent without adequate provisions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Greg Abbott decision to bus migrants to LA condemned as 'despicable stunt' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/15/greg-abbott-texas-la-karen-bass-immigrant-bus |date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126022254/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/15/greg-abbott-texas-la-karen-bass-immigrant-bus |url-status=live }}</ref> The state reported sending 119,200 migrants to cities outside of Texas,<ref name=":4" /> contributing to the [[New York City migrant housing crisis]] and other crises in cities such as Chicago, [[Denver]], and Washington, D.C.<ref name = "APDec27"/><ref name = "abc7dec28"/> Officials in these cities have responded to the drop-off of migrants by deploying emergency measures and calling states of emergencies.<ref>{{Cite news |title=G.O.P. Governors Cause Havoc by Busing Migrants to East Coast |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/us/migrants-buses-washington-texas.html |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926230119/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/us/migrants-buses-washington-texas.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "NBCDec17"/> 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.<ref name = "APNov19">{{Cite news |title=Democratic-led cities pay for migrants' tickets to other places as resources dwindle |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/denver-migrants-bus-tickets-border-plane-charters-c4584cc4f6eb848aaa939ac962582922 |date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113040820/https://apnews.com/article/denver-migrants-bus-tickets-border-plane-charters-c4584cc4f6eb848aaa939ac962582922 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name="abc7dec28" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=NYC sues 17 charter bus companies for $700 million over transporting asylum seekers to the city from Texas |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/05/us/migrant-crisis-new-york-bus-company-lawsuit/index.html |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113032936/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/05/us/migrant-crisis-new-york-bus-company-lawsuit/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="abc7dec28" /> 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.<ref name = "NYTsep8">{{Cite news |title=G.O.P. Gets the Democratic Border Crisis It Wanted |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/politics/gop-migrants-blue-cities.html |date=September 8, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113035548/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/politics/gop-migrants-blue-cities.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Washington, D.C., in particular has requested the deployment of the [[District of Columbia National Guard|D.C. National Guard]] to assist in the migrant crisis, but has been turned down.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Feds deny Bowser's request for National Guard to help with Texas migrants |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/05/dc-migrants-texas-national-guard-bowser-denied/ |date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110070400/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/05/dc-migrants-texas-national-guard-bowser-denied/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Republican officials have expressed approval of the OLS busing program for giving the migrant crisis national attention.<ref name = "NYTsep8"/> 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".<ref name = "NYTApril26">{{Cite news |title=Texas' Busing of Migrants to D.C. Isn't Having Abbott's Intended Effect Yet |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/us/politics/abbott-immigration-texas-dc-biden.html |date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113042357/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/us/politics/abbott-immigration-texas-dc-biden.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "TheHillDec27"/> 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.<ref name = "NBCDec17"/><ref name = "APNov19"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Busing migrants was a partisan lightning rod. Here's why Democrats have embraced it |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/02/06/1154412106/busing-migrants-asylum-border-republicans-democrats |date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113043613/https://www.npr.org/2023/02/06/1154412106/busing-migrants-asylum-border-republicans-democrats |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Immigration policy of the Joe Biden administration]] * [[Immigration policy of the first Donald Trump administration|Immigration policy of Donald Trump]] *[[New York City migrant housing crisis]] * [[Operation Jump Start]] * [[Operation Faithful Patriot]] * [[List of conflicts involving the Texas Military]] * [[Texas secession movements]]
==References== {{reflist}}
[[Category:Mexico–United States border]] [[Category:Texas Military Forces]] [[Category:Immigrant rights]] [[Category:Illegal immigration to the United States]] [[Category:History of immigration to the United States]] [[Category:Greg Abbott]] [[Category:Law enforcement in Texas]] [[Category:Venezuelan refugee crisis]] [[Category:Biden administration controversies]] [[Category:Law enforcement operations in the United States]] [[Category:2021 establishments in Texas]]