Texas Praises Trump’s Border Policies as Illegal Crossings Drop

Texas officials have withdrawn most of their border enforcement forces, citing a significant decrease in illegal crossings from Mexico following President Donald Trump’s return to office.

On March 16, Texas authorities confirmed that thousands of state police officers, special forces, and National Guard troops had been pulled back from a 1,900-mile stretch along the Rio Grande border. This marks the first large-scale redeployment of border forces in four years.

Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), described the move as “a peace dividend” resulting from Trump’s strict border security policies.

Texas’ Billion-Dollar Border Operation

Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) in 2021, named after the state's nickname and flag, to combat illegal border crossings. The effort deployed 10,000 police officers, special forces, and National Guard troops to patrol the border, arrest undocumented migrants, and transport them to Democrat-led cities.

The $11 billion operation included funding for border infrastructure such as barbed-wire barriers, border walls, and additional checkpoints in Eagle Pass Valley.

Just two months into Trump’s second term, Texas law enforcement has reported a sharp decline in illegal crossings at the Rio Grande.

“We had too many troops, security personnel, and surveillance infrastructure, yet border crossings kept decreasing. So, we’re now reallocating forces back to traditional crime-fighting duties. If needed, we can redeploy them instantly,” Olivarez stated.

Sharp Decline in Border Crossings

While OLS remains active, many units are now being redirected to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in tracking undocumented individuals in Texas cities. The DPS will continue aerial and river patrols along the Rio Grande, but with an adjusted scale based on border conditions.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of border apprehensions along the U.S. southwest border (from California to Texas) has dropped dramatically in the past year, from 140,641 in February 2024 to just 8,347 in February 2025.

In Texas alone, the monthly apprehensions have plunged from 53,460 to 5,016 cases.

Migrants and Smugglers Feel the Impact

In Juarez, Mexico, located in the state of Chihuahua, many migrants are hesitant to cross into Texas, fearing immediate deportation or prosecution. Local human smuggling gangs have raised their prices to $2,000-$2,500 per person, reflecting the higher risks under Trump’s border policies.

“I know people who tried to cross. They were caught immediately and deported back to Mexico by plane. I’m not willing to gamble my money or my life,” said Angel, a Venezuelan migrant who arrived in Juarez two months ago.

He has abandoned plans to seek humanitarian asylum in the U.S. under CBP One, a program introduced by former President Joe Biden. Trump canceled the program upon taking office, nullifying thousands of pending asylum applications.

(Sources: NY Post, El País)

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