Since its inception in early 2021, Texas’ border security initiative, Operation Lone Star, has apprehended over 516,000 individuals attempting to illegally cross the border. This mission has been successful in preventing unlawful entry into the state and ensuring the safety of Texans.
Since Friday, the OLS officers have arrested over 516,300 illegal foreign nationals and have made 45,300 criminal arrests, with the report of more than 39,400 felony charges.
As per recent reports, law enforcement officers across Texas have successfully seized over 505 million deadly doses of fentanyl. This amount is sufficient to take the lives of both the United States and Mexico’s entire populations, combined.
According to Governor Greg Abbott, Operation Lone Star is actively working to address the dangerous gaps that have been created due to the Biden Administration’s failure to secure the border. He believes that if it weren’t for this initiative, all the individuals who have been apprehended, arrested, and the drugs that have been seized would have made their way into various communities across Texas and the nation, all thanks to President Joe Biden’s open border policies.
During the Republican National Convention held on Wednesday night, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of securing the border by encouraging Americans to vote for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November elections. In his speech, he highlighted how protecting the country is the most fundamental responsibility of the president, and President Trump fulfilled it commendably. Furthermore, he criticized Joe Biden for abandoning his duty in this regard.
According to a report by The Center Square, over 12 million illegal border crossers have entered the United States during Biden’s tenure, with two million individuals successfully evading capture, also referred to as ‘gotaways’.
Since Biden’s presidency, the number of individuals who have been caught illegally entering the United States surpasses the population of 44 different states and 155 countries.
According to a report by The Center Square, over 205,000 individuals entered the United States illegally last month alone. This brings the total number of illegal entries to over 2.4 million for fiscal year 2024 through June. Apprehensions at the northern border have set a new record.
According to Abbott, our country has opened its doors to rapists, murderers, and even terrorists under Biden’s leadership, resulting in devastating consequences. One of the many victims of this policy was Jocelyn, a 12-year-old from Houston who was brutally raped and murdered by two Venezuelans. Shockingly, these individuals were released into the country through a parole program initiated by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas.
Governor Abbott took matters into his own hands when he realized that President Biden and Vice President Harris were not willing to witness the crisis they had created at the border. He decided to bring the border to their doorstep by transporting illegal border crossers to Washington, D.C., and sanctuary cities across the country. The Governor made it clear that he would continue to do so until the border is secure. He affirmed that the buses would keep rolling until necessary action is taken to address the issue.
According to recent updates, more than 120,000 foreign nationals who were unlawfully released into Texas by the Biden administration have been bused north. Texas tops the list when it comes to sending the highest number of foreign nationals to other cities, with nearly 46,000 sent to New York City and almost 37,000 sent to Chicago. Other cities that received significant numbers are Denver with over 19,200, Washington, D.C. with over 12,500, Philadelphia with over 3,400, and Los Angeles with more than 1,500.
Two Mexican nationals who are in the United States illegally have been added to the “Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant List” by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to The Center Square reported, the list comprises of Hispanic men who are wanted for violent crimes. Soon after the announcement of the list last month, two repeat offenders were apprehended.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has recently added two individuals to their list of most wanted fugitives. One of them is Fabian Martinez Toribio, a 25-year-old Mexican with connections to Travis County in Austin and Pflugerville. He was previously arrested and convicted of Entry Without Inspection in April 2018, which led to his deportation from the U.S. However, he illegally re-entered the country and was arrested again in October 2023 by Manor police officers for Resisting Arrest/Search and possession of a controlled substance. He was later released on bond. On Jan. 30, 2024, the Austin Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Furthermore, on Feb. 27, 2024, Travis County issued a warrant for his arrest for possession of a controlled substance.
According to DPS, Octavio Cruz Hernandez is a 32-year-old Mexican with ties to Travis, Hays, and Bastrop counties, which includes the cities of Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and Cedar Creek. In September 2019, he was found guilty of driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years of age in Travis County, resulting in his removal from the U.S. However, he illegally reentered the country at some point and was arrested by Kyle police officers in July 2022 for driving while intoxicated. He was subsequently charged, tried, and convicted. On April 8, 2024, a warrant was issued for his arrest in Bastrop County for continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
According to Abbott, anyone can report any criminal activity by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-8477 or submit a tip on their website. He emphasizes the importance of working together to ensure that these dangerous individuals are brought to justice and locked up.