Texas State Immigration Enforcement before January 20, 2025
- In March 2021 Gov. Abbott launched Operation Lone Star (OLS), a state funded, state immigration enforcement operation that targets communities for arrest and deportation.
- In May 2021 Gov. Abbott declared a “disaster” at the border which allowed for the mobilization of TX National Guard (other states also sent their National Guard or state troopers) and state troopers to criminalize immigrants and collaborate with federal agencies on immigration enforcement. Dozens of counties have joined. Criminal penalties are increased in counties that have signed on to the OLS disaster declarations.
- Thousands of National Guard members have been deployed to conduct immigration enforcement.
- SB4 (state deportation) was signed into law in 2023 and is currently enjoined. SB4 (state deportation) would allow state judges to order people deported and state law enforcement to escort them to the border.
- Several TX counties have active 287 (g) agreements which deputize local law enforcement officers to be able to perform functions of federal immigration officers.