As Texas continues to put up resistance at major illegal crossing points at its border with Mexico, illegal entries have increased in Arizona, California and New Mexico where similar policies are not being implemented, officials in Texas say.
Through Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star, National Guard soldiers have been working to prevent illegal entry and Texas Department of Public Safety officers have been focused on interdiction. Where illegal entries occur, Texas DPS officers and others in law enforcement have been arresting illegal foreign nationals for committing criminal trespass or other state crimes they may violate.
The goal is to block illegal entry and to ensure consequences for those who get through, Abbott, backed by the state legislature, has said.
“Illegal entry in Texas has consequences,” border czar Mike Banks said, which is why Mexican cartels and transnational criminal organizations are redirecting smuggling operations to Arizona, California and New Mexico, he added, pointing to federal data.
