After four years of what some term “open borders” under President Biden, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) finds itself entrenched in a relentless pursuit of illegal immigrants and human smugglers. As the saying goes, “What goes around comes around,” and Texas is now bearing the brunt of a situation many feel was exacerbated by federal policies.
Utilizing their aerial support, the Texas DPS recently tracked a human smuggler along with several illegal immigrants as they attempted to evade capture in El Paso County. This operation demonstrated the effective collaboration between air support and ground units, specifically the Texas Rangers and State Troopers, which ultimately led to the apprehension of the smuggler and six others attempting to flee. The captured individuals were subsequently turned over to the Border Patrol for processing.
Watch:
Aerial Support in Action
6/4/25: @TxDPS Aircraft Operations Division provided critical aerial support to ground units, including the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group and State Troopers, during a smuggling interdiction in El Paso County.
A pickup truck loaded with… pic.twitter.com/GPAxNUfTmh
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) June 5, 2025
In a related incident, footage surfaced showing the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group and Troopers intercepting a vehicle in El Paso County that was transporting ten illegal immigrants. The driver, also an undocumented individual from Mexico, was arrested. The entire group was then handed over to the Border Patrol for further action.
Watch:
Human smuggling attempt disrupted in El Paso County.
5/26/25: @TxDPS Texas Rangers Special Operations Group and Troopers intercepted a Dodge Journey van suspected of smuggling. The driver—an illegal immigrant from Mexico—was arrested and charged with smuggling 10 illegal… pic.twitter.com/rIpx02vIDM
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) June 6, 2025
Launched in 2021 by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Operation Lone Star aims to curb the influx of dangerous substances, such as fentanyl, into the United States while simultaneously deterring illegal immigration. This initiative has garnered support from the Texas DPS and the Texas National Guard.
Interestingly, Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution explicitly entrusts the federal government with the responsibility to protect the nation against invasion—a point often cited by those advocating for stricter border controls. The current administration’s approach has led to a complex debate on what constitutes an “invasion” and how best to manage the situation.
Since the return of former President Trump to office, advocates of stricter immigration policies claim that illegal border crossings have plummeted by over 99 percent. Whether this is a data point of success or merely a reflection of shifting political tides remains to be seen, but the ongoing operations in Texas suggest that the state will be busy for quite some time.
