Officials in Texas are marking a victory with the take-over of an island near the U.S.-Mexico boundary, known as a “safe haven” for the cartel’s drug and weapon operations.
Cartels and Immigration
Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, representing Texas’ 23rd Congressional District which covers the largest portion of the U.S-Mexico border, informed Newsweek about the Mexican cartels’ role in aiding the Biden administration to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S.
Recounting Violent Border Visits
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham mentioned on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings With Maria Bartiromo” this Wednesday that she just returned from Fronton Island, known for being in “the most violent part of the border.”
National Guard Takes Strategic Island
Located across a section of the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, this island was taken over by the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety in November.
Buckingham recounted that it had been a hotspot for automatic gunfire and ongoing violence.
Success in Border Control
In a recent statement, Dawn Buckingham highlighted the decisive actions taken by state authorities in securing what was once a “densely wooded” 170-acre hideout, notorious for its role in cross-border criminal activities.
Before the Seizure
Prior to its seizure, this area was under the dual claim of Texas and Mexican cartels, serving as a hub for storing weapons, drugs, and harboring individuals. “They had literally a safe haven to stash weapons, drugs, and people,” Buckingham, a former state senator elected to her current role in 2022, remarked.
The Severity of Border Crisis
Buckingham emphasized the severity of the situation with the large influx of migrants and the discovery of illegal explosives, weapons, and a significant quantity of drugs, including fentanyl, potent enough to be lethal to the population several times over.
Texas Deploys Razor Wire
Since taking control, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and military personnel have installed concertina wire, a type of razor wire, in areas with high migrant traffic, including Shelby Park.
No More Weapons
Dawn Buckingham, emphasizing the effectiveness of this measure, stated confidently, “I can tell you there are no more weapons caches and people coming across [the border].”
JTF Lone Star
Highlighting the strategic efforts, Sargeant Jake Jordan from Joint Task Force Lone Star’s Special Response Team, mentioned last fall that over 1.4 miles of wire had been laid out, addressing a problem that had persisted for decades.
Enhanced Mobility and Safety
He praised the project for its timely and safe execution, noting it provides not just a barrier but also enhances mobility for the Guard and law enforcement across the island.
Abbott Announces Military Milestone
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas declared on Friday that construction of an 80-acre military base has started, aimed at deploying around 1,800 troops to strengthen the defense of the southern border against illegal migrants.
A Game-Changer?
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, discussing the new military base camp at Friday’s press conference, highlighted its strategic importance. He stated, “This will increase the ability for a larger number of military department personnel in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and more efficiently.”
A ‘Win-win’
Abbott emphasized that the construction of this base camp, which began on an 80-acre site and will extend from the Rio Grande to Shelby Park, is a “win-win” for improving soldier conditions and reducing costs in the state’s fight against illegal immigration.
Debate Over Border Effort
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador criticized the plan on Tuesday, branding it as “politicking” and inadequate for tackling the record-high illegal immigration.
Major Drop in Border Crossings
The number of border crossings in Texas significantly decreased in January, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting 68,260 incidents, a sharp fall from December’s 149,806 attempted entries.
October and November saw 119,628 and 111,129 encounters, respectively.
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