In response to growing concerns over border security, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday the deployment of 400 additional National Guard troops and military equipment to the Rio Grande Valley to assist federal authorities in curbing unauthorized immigration.
"Texas finally has a partner in the White House to collaborate with on securing the Texas-Mexico border," Abbott said in a statement. "To support this mission, I’ve mobilized the Texas Tactical Border Force, consisting of hundreds of troops, to work alongside U.S. Border Patrol agents to prevent illegal crossings and enforce immigration laws."
The newly launched tactical force was deployed from military bases in Fort Worth and Houston, utilizing C-130 transport planes and Chinook helicopters. These troops join thousands of Texas National Guard members already engaged in Operation Lone Star, an $11 billion initiative aimed at bolstering border security. This large-scale operation began shortly after former President Donald Trump left office in 2021.
Abbott’s move aligns with recent actions by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who announced the Pentagon is implementing Trump’s executive orders on border security. "The president has made it clear: the southern border crisis is a national emergency, and it’s our duty to protect the sovereignty of the United States. The cartels are operating as foreign terrorist organizations," Hegseth said during a press briefing in Washington.
Federal efforts also include the Pentagon’s decision to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support Trump’s immigration policies. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the deployment fulfills Trump’s commitment to a stronger border crackdown, following executive actions that include declaring a national emergency.
Currently, around 2,500 National Guard and Army Reserve members are stationed at the southern border, assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection with logistics and other support. This follows similar troop deployments during the administrations of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
In addition to the increased military presence, Texas lawmakers are considering significant budget expansions for border security. Preliminary budget proposals include $6.5 billion in funding, marking a 60% increase since Operation Lone Star’s launch in 2021.
Governor Abbott has also called on Congress to reimburse Texas for its border security expenses during the Biden administration. While no federal action has been taken, Senator John Cornyn has pledged to push for funding. "Texas taxpayers, who have carried the burden of Operation Lone Star, deserve to be reimbursed. I’ll fight to ensure these historic efforts don’t go unrecognized," Cornyn said in a statement.Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data indicates a dramatic decline in border crossings, with encounters dropping to a four-year low in 2024 after peaking in December 2023.