Recent arrests by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) underscore the impact of Operation Lone Star in apprehending migrants with outstanding warrants for grave offenses, including sexual assault of a child. These arrests occurred in various Texas locations over the past few weeks.

One instance involved a Honduran national, Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez, who was apprehended during a traffic stop in Laredo on February 12th. After initially fleeing with several passengers, Montoya-Alvarez was apprehended and charged with human smuggling. A subsequent investigation revealed an outstanding warrant for sexual assault in Harris County. Seven undocumented immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico were also detained during this incident and referred to Border Patrol.

On February 11th, in Socorro, Texas, DPS agents and state troopers arrested Carlos Daniel Espinoza-Arguello, a Venezuelan national, for suspected human smuggling. Further investigation uncovered an existing warrant for sexual assault of a child. This arrest led authorities to a nearby stash house, where two additional Venezuelan nationals were apprehended by ICE.

A third incident involved the arrest of Armando Alonso-Cortez, a Mexican national, on February 6th during a traffic stop in Sullivan City. A warrant check revealed that Alonso-Cortez was wanted for sexual assault of a child by the Alton Police Department and was considered a flight risk.

These arrests showcase the significant achievements of Operation Lone Star, initiated by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021. The operation has led to over 500,000 migrant apprehensions, thwarted over 140,000 illegal entry attempts, resulted in more than 50,000 criminal arrests, and seized over half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl. Furthermore, the operation has facilitated the construction of over 240 miles of border barriers and the establishment of a National Guard base along the Texas-Mexico border.

Governor Abbott has emphasized the financial burden of Operation Lone Star, exceeding $11.1 billion, borne by Texas taxpayers. He argues that this cost should be the responsibility of the federal government and has called for reimbursement. While House Republicans have introduced bills seeking reimbursement for Texas' border security expenses, these legislative efforts have yet to be successful.