EAGLE PASS, Texas (NewsNation) — After years of tension between state and federal authorities, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has shifted course, deploying tactical strike teams to support Department of Homeland Security operations at the U.S.-Mexico border.
NewsNation’s Ali Bradley was in Eagle Pass when the Texas National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted ground and aerial exercises using Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, provided by the Department of Defense. The operation also included 28 military trucks, showcasing the state’s tactical military strength.
Military to support Border Patrol
Abbott says the Texas DPS tactical strike teams, which consist of DPS troopers, special agents and Texas Rangers, will coordinate with the newly established Homeland Security task force, supported by DPS the aircraft operations division and the intelligence and counterterrorism division, to target nearly 5,400 undocumented migrants with active warrants from local jurisdictions across the state.
Officials emphasized that this training exercise is designed to support the ongoing mission of border security, highlighting the state’s commitment to safeguarding its borders.
“Having those close working relationships helps us accomplish our border security mission,” said CBP Agent Christina Smallwood. “Our main priority is always ensuring our communities are safe.”
On Monday, Abbott deployed 400 additional soldiers, along with C-130s and Chinook helicopters to the border, joining thousands of soldiers already stationed in the area. The Department of Defense has at least 4,100 troops along the southern border.
CBP welcomed more training exercises, confirming that the members of the tactical team will operate alongside federal agents throughout nine stations across the Rio Grande Valley sector.
Do Texans support the expansion of Operation Lone Star?
Launched in 2021 as a state taxpayer-funded response to the border crisis, Operation Lone Star, has expanded several times, adding personnel, barriers, and even busing migrants across Texas.
Over the last four years, Abbott has received support from Texas residents, though some have called for even stronger action.
Despite the state facing a $11.1 billion deficit, Abbott is seeking reimbursement from the Trump administration. Texas remains a committed partner in border security, with the state’s land commissioner offering 1,400 acres of land to the Trump administration and pledging to secure more land to assist with deportation efforts.
