In Texas, Officials Are Reporting A Surge In Migrants At The Southern Border This Week

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In this June 16, 2021, file photo migrants stand stand in line at a respite center after they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and turned themselves in and were released in Del Rio, Texas.

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A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) boat patrols passes a Mexican fisherman on the Rio Grande on March 24, 2021 near Mission, Texas. Texas DPS troopers are taking part in Operation Lone Star.

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Controlling The Border Is A Challenge. Texas Gov. Abbott’s Crackdown Is Proving That

Critics say Operation Lone Star is over policing

Operation Lone Star has resulted in an increase of law enforcement presence in border communities. Civil rights activists have feared that could lead to over-policing of local residents, according to Texas Public Radio.

The Border Report says the deployment of over 1,000 Texas state troopers to the Rio Grande Valley resulted in a large number of traffic citations issued in four predominantly Hispanic counties along the border.

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U.S. Border Patrol agents take asylum seekers into custody as seen from a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter near the U.S.-Mexico Border on March 23, 2021 in McAllen, Texas.

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U.S. Border Patrol agents take asylum seekers into custody as seen from a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter near the U.S.-Mexico Border on March 23, 2021 in McAllen, Texas.

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Over 16% of all citations issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety between March 1 and May 31 were in the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy on the Texas-Mexico border.

Other reports indicate an increased presence of Public Safety officials has led to more frivolous traffic citations as more drivers reported being pulled over for no reason.

On top of those concerns, a rise in high-speed chases, frequently involving stolen cars carrying undocumented immigrants, has concerned residents in many communities along the border, according to the Washington Post.

Department of Public Safety agents have been involved in several vehicle pursuits, according to the agency’s data released this week.

In the Del Rio area, the Texas public safety officials report car chases are up 774% through July of this year with 236, compared to 27 in 2020. In the Laredo area there is an 86% increase year-over-year, with 140 in 2021 compared to 75 the year before. Similarly, the Rio Grande Valley saw a 40% increase in pursuits, with 163 through July 2021, compared to 116 in 2020.

• border crossing
• Immigration
• Texas