Operation Lone Star

Operation Lone Star (OLS) is a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department along the southern border between Texas and Mexico. Launched in March 2021, the stated purpose according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott is to counter illegal immigration, illegal drug trade, arms trafficking, and human smuggling.[1][2] As of November 2022, it is the most expensive operation in Texas military history, totaling $4 billion, and the largest deployment of forces since the Civil War.[2][3] The operation has deployed over 20,000 military and law enforcement personnel (averaging 10,000 downrange at a time).[4] It has in resulted 325,000 migrant apprehensions, 21,900 criminal arrests (including 19,400 felony charges), and 352 million doses of fentanyl seized.[5][6][2] It is a distinct state led initiative, the tenth launched since 2005, separate from other federal forces operating in support of a similar mission in the area.[6] As of April 2023, there was no projected end date.[5][4]

Operation Lone Star

Texas Soldiers and Troopers Deployed during Operation Lone Star
DateMarch 06, 2021 - Present
Location
Mexico—Texas border
Status Ongoing - as of November 2022:
325,000 migrant apprehensions
21,900 criminal arrests
19,400 felony charges
352 million doses of fentanyl seized
Belligerents
TexasTexas Mexican cartels
Commanders and leaders
Texas Greg Abbott
TexasSteven C. McCraw
TexasTracy Norris
TexasThomas Suelzer		 Ismael Zambada
Nemesio Cervantes
Érick Valencia Salazar
Strength
10,000+ soldiers and troopers -
Casualties and losses

4 killed by suicide

1 killed by drowning		 -

Background and causes

See also: Immigration reform in the United States

Texas has been launching border security operations with increasing escalation since 2005 starting with Operation Linebacker by Rick Perry.[3][4]

Operation Lone Star

Timeline
Date Notable Event
March 06, 2021 Operation Lone Star D-Day[1]
May 31, 2021 Greg Abbott declares disaster via Proclamation[7]
June 16, 2021 Greg Abbott announces border wall construction strategy[8]
December 18, 2021 First section of border wall completed in Rio Grande City[9]
March 14, 2022 Major General Tracy Norris is relieved of command[10]
April 06, 2022 Bus and flight of immigrants to sanctuary city Washington D.C. begin[11]
July 07, 2022 Greg Abbott declares invasion via Executive Order GA-41[12]
September 21, 2022 Greg Abbott designates Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations via Executive Order GA-42[13]
November 18, 2022 M113 armored personnel carriers are deployed[14]
February 03, 2023 Greg Abbott establishes Texas Border Czar position, appoints Mike Banks[15]
May 08, 2023 Greg Abbott establishes and deploys Texas Tactical Border Force[16][17]

Controversy

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.[6][18] 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.[6] 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.[19]

Consequences

On January 13, 2022, a state district court judge in Travis County, Texas, granted Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, of Ecuador, a writ of habeas corpus, ruling that the state program violated the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution.[20] On February 25, 2022, the Third Court of Appeals in Austin affirmed the decision of the lower court.[21]

As of November 2022, OLS has in resulted 325,000 migrant apprehensions, 21,900 criminal arrests (including 19,400 felony charges), and 352 million doses of fentanyl seized.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Governor Abbott, DPS Launch "Operation Lone Star" To Address Crisis At Southern Border". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  2. "Operation Lone Star Escalates Unprecedented Border Security Efforts". Office of the Texas Governor. November 18, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Kriel, Lomi (April 18, 2022). "Texas has spent billions of dollars on border security. But what taxpayers got in return is a mystery". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. Abbott, Greg. "Border Crisis Update". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. Cuellar, Carolina (December 3, 2021). "Operation Lone Star continues indefinitely while the Texas Military Department expands border wall". KERA News. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  6. Winkie, Davis (January 4, 2022). "Another Operation Lone Star soldier dies amid morale crisis". Army Times. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  7. Abbott, Greg (May 31, 2022). "Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Texas" (PDF). Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Abbott, Greg (June 16, 2021). "Governor Abbott Announces Border Wall Construction Strategy". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. Abbott, Greg (December 18, 2021). "Governor Abbott Debuts Texas Border Wall In Rio Grande City". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. BARRAGÁN, JAMES (March 14, 2022). "Gov. Greg Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  11. "Governor Abbott Takes Aggressive Action To Secure The Border As President Biden Ends Title 42 Expulsions". Office of the Texas Governor. April 6, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. Abbott, Greg (July 7, 2022). "Executive Order GA 41" (PDF). Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. Abbott, Greg (September 21, 2022). "Governor Abbott Designates Mexican Cartels As Terrorist Organizations". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. Winkie, Davis (November 18, 2022). "Texas Guard to send tank-like military vehicles to the border". Army Times. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  15. Abbott, Greg (February 3, 2023). "New Texas Border Czar Joins Operation Lone Star Mission". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. Cook, Ellie (May 9, 2023). "How Greg Abbott's 'Elite' Texas Tactical Border Force Will Stop Migrants". Newsweek. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  17. Abbott, Greg (May 8, 2023). "Governor Abbott Deploys New Texas Tactical Border Force". Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved May 15, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. Barragan, James (January 7, 2022). "Texas lawmakers deplore mistreatment of National Guardsmen sent to border duty". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  19. Scherer, Jasper (January 6, 2022). "Texas National Guard struggles to pay soldiers, while slashing tuition help by more than half". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  20. Plohetski, Tony; Hall, Katie (January 13, 2022). "Gov. Abbott's border crackdown Operation Lone Star violates U.S. Constitution, Travis County judge says". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  21. State of Texas v. Curipoma, No. 03-22-00032CR (Tex. App.--Austin, February 25, 2022) (Retrieved March 23, 2025).
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