Gov. Abbott hosts Texas House representatives at Eagle Pass for border security update

EAGLE PASS, Texas (KETK) – During Thursday’s press conference, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Thursday to discuss how Texas law enforcement has handled the ongoing migrant issue and provided an update on Operation Lone Star.

Abbott sends cease and desist to East Texas representative for endorsement claim

Operation Lone Star was launched in 2021, that would focus on diminishing the smuggling of drugs and people into Texas, and bring resources and law enforcement to “high threat areas.”

The press conference is amid growing tensions between Texas and the federal government concerning security at the border. Abbott and over 20 representatives were joined by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Deputy Director Thomas Suelzer and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.

The governor said the country is currently dealing with its biggest border crisis “since America had borders” because President Joe Biden has allowed the border “to be penetrated by the drug cartels that smuggled in illegal immigrants.”

Yet, Abbott claims that Texas has seen a decrease in illegal crossings due to efforts made by Texas agencies and state representatives.

Greg Abbott throws his support behind Joanne Shofner in Nacogdoches

“The results are amazing, if you look at what has changed in illegal border crossings in the past half year, even though Texas represents about two thirds of the border, we only represent 30% of the crossings.” Abbott said. “The lead crossing areas are California, Arizona and New Mexico that represents 70%. Now, unlike before, migrants are choosing to go states other than Texas, and that is because Texas has put the resistance that it has.”

According to Abbott, DPS has:

• made over 39,000 criminal arrests

• apprehended more than 480,000 illegal migrants

• deterred more than 95,000 illegal entries

• engaged in more than 4300 bailouts

• filed more than 19,000 charges for smuggling

The governor said Texas is the first state in U.S. history to build their own border wall, claiming to have built more of the Trump border wall than Former President Donald Trump did during his time in office.

“If you look at the amount of wall already constructed and the amount of wall that is going to be under construction. Texas will have built more of the Trump border wall than even Trump built in the state of Texas,” Abbott said.

Looking ahead, the governor said the next step would be to expand the National Guard effort along the border region. Abbott’s office is working with the National Guard on new strategies to add more soldiers and resources “so they can be even more successful.”

Two East Texas representatives, Cody Harris of District 8 and Cole Hefner of District 5, attended the press conference to see how Operation Lone Star has been put into use.

“Several weeks ago there were thousands and thousands of illegal crossings everyday into this very spot where I’m standing, today this stretch of is about 10 per day,” said Harris.

Hefner said the decrease in migrants is just a start but Texans need help from the Biden administration.

‘Parents Matter:’ Gov. Abbott promotes school choice in Tyler

“We need the federal government to step up and do their job. We are spending precious Texas tax payer dollars that can be used for our school and our roads, for our law enforcement, but instead we are having to focus on the jobs that the federal government refuses to do,” said Hefner.

Harris said a popular route migrants take when entering the country runs through East Texas and both representatives said they have seen the effects.

“One of the heaviest routes in Texas goes straight through Palestine into Tyler, Longview, Marshall and up through Louisiana. Those are the routes they take for drug trafficking, human trafficking and the sex trade and it absolutely affects our communities at home,” Harris said.

“I think it affects every community in the United States. Texas gets the brunt of it because we are right here, I think its overwhelming our schools, our law enforcement and our infrastructure,” Hefner said.

Abbott and the East Texas representatives called on the Biden administration to help solve the problem.

“It’s his job and his constitutional duty to enforce the laws of the United States and he is refusing to do it,” Harris said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.