Texas DPS arrests several illegal aliens wanted for sexual assault crimes

Operation Lone Star: Texas Cracks Down on Crime and Border Security

In recent weeks, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has made significant strides in combating crime and securing the southern border through Operation Lone Star. This initiative, launched by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, has been instrumental in apprehending criminals, including those wanted for heinous offenses such as sexual assault of a child. The operation has not only highlighted the critical role of state-led border security efforts but also underscored the challenges and costs associated with addressing illegal immigration.

One notable case involved a Honduran national, Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez, who was arrested during a traffic stop in Laredo. Montoya-Alvarez, a lawful permanent resident, was found to be wanted in Harris County for sexual assault. Along with seven illegal immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico, he was taken into custody. This incident, which occurred on February 12, exemplifies the proactive approach DPS has taken to identify and detain individuals involved in criminal activities, including human smuggling.

Another significant arrest took place in Socorro, where DPS agents apprehended Carlos Daniel Espinoza-Arguello, a Venezuelan national wanted for sexual assault of a child. Espinoza-Arguello’s arrest led authorities to a stash house, where two additional illegal immigrants from Venezuela were detained by ICE. These cases demonstrate the interconnected nature of criminal activity and illegal immigration, as well as the necessity of coordinated efforts between state and federal agencies to address these issues.

Operation Lone Star has achieved remarkable success since its inception in 2021. The initiative has resulted in the apprehension of over 500,000 illegal immigrants, the prevention of more than 140,000 illegal entry attempts, and the seizure of over 500 million lethal doses of fentanyl. Additionally, Texas has constructed over 240 miles of border barriers and established the only National Guard base along the Texas-Mexico border. These accomplishments underscore the state’s commitment to border security and public safety.

Despite these achievements, the operation has come at a substantial cost. Texas has spent over $11.1 billion on border security efforts, a burden that Governor Abbott argues should fall on the federal government. Prior to the Biden administration, Texas spent approximately $800 million every two years to supplement federal border efforts. Abbott has repeatedly called for reimbursement, emphasizing that the state’s efforts benefit the entire nation, not just Texas.

The debate over border security and federal reimbursement continues, with House Republicans introducing legislation to address these issues. However, no bill has yet been passed to reimburse Texas for its expenditures. As the situation at the border remains a contentious political issue, Operation Lone Star stands as a testament to Texas’s resolve to protect its citizens and the nation, even as it navigates the financial and logistical challenges of shouldering a responsibility traditionally borne by the federal government.