Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the installation of additional razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. This latest directive is part of Abbott's broader Operation Lone Star initiative, which he launched in 2021 with the aim of curbing illegal immigration and enhancing border security. The governor's decision comes as Republicans intensify their criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of immigration in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
Abbott announced the new measures on August 13 via his social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Operation Lone Star engineers install more razor wire near Shelby Park. Texas will continue to hold the line and bolster our border security efforts to protect Texans-and Americans-from the Biden-Harris border crisis," Abbott posted, accompanying his message with images of the razor wire being installed.
Operation Lone Star, which has now been in effect for over two years, has led to the apprehension of more than 517,400 individuals attempting to cross the border illegally, as well as over 45,900 arrests, according to Abbott. The initiative has also facilitated the transportation of over 119,400 migrants to sanctuary cities across the United States. Despite these numbers, the operation has been met with substantial criticism, particularly from human rights organizations that accuse the Texas government of employing inhumane tactics.
Reports have surfaced alleging that migrants, including vulnerable individuals such as children, have been pushed into razor wire or subjected to other forms of force, such as pepper balls and tear gas. Daniel Woodward, a legal fellow with the Texas Civil Rights Project, condemned these actions, citing an incident where Texas National Guard members reportedly forced a four-year-old girl and her family back across the border without offering aid. "The Texas National Guard was ordered to push migrants, including a four-year-old girl, back across the river and not give them any aid," Woodward told Newsweek.
The controversy surrounding Operation Lone Star extends beyond the use of physical barriers like razor wire. In a recent move, Governor Abbott signed an executive order requiring hospitals in Texas to collect data on the healthcare costs associated with treating undocumented immigrants. This directive has sparked outrage from healthcare professionals and advocates who argue that it could deter vulnerable populations from seeking necessary medical care. Belen Torres, a representative from the National Nurses United, emphasized that "health care is a human right," and warned that the order could prevent thousands of people with serious medical needs from accessing life-saving care.
Abbott has justified these measures by pointing to the financial and security challenges Texas faces as a result of what he describes as the "Biden-Harris border crisis." Despite a significant drop in migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border-a three-year low in June following a crackdown by the Biden administration-Abbott and other Republican leaders have continued to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been tasked with addressing the root causes of migration as part of her role in the administration.
The installation of additional razor wire at the Texas border is the latest in a series of actions taken by Abbott to assert state control over immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, the Texas National Guard took control of Shelby Park along the Rio Grande River after Abbott signed an emergency declaration citing the ongoing border crisis. The move effectively blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from patrolling the area, further straining relations between state and federal authorities.
Abbott's actions have drawn praise from some constituents who view the measures as necessary for protecting Texas residents from the perceived threats posed by illegal immigration. Mazi Pilip, a Republican legislator who introduced the bill that led to the mask ban in Nassau County, echoed these sentiments, stating, "We are not going to allow people to hide their faces and basically attack or spread hate speech while encouraging others to do so."
However, the governor's aggressive stance on border security has also fueled concerns about the broader implications for civil liberties and human rights. Critics argue that the use of razor wire and other harsh measures could lead to unnecessary suffering and exacerbate tensions between the U.S. and Mexico.
