A renewed commitment to border security has dramatically altered the landscape along the southern border. Following a change in administration, a long-held promise to secure the border has been fulfilled, resulting in a significant decrease in illegal crossings.
The preceding years witnessed an unprecedented influx of individuals entering the country without authorization. Millions crossed the border unchecked, raising serious concerns about vetting procedures and accountability.
This surge created a relentless cycle of pursuit for law enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Simultaneously, state-level organizations, notably the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), partnered with Border Patrol to safeguard citizens from potential criminal activity linked to illegal immigration.
The new year began with a stark illustration of this ongoing effort in Maverick County, Texas. DPS officers, aided by K-9 units and the Border Mounted Patrol, apprehended seven individuals concealed on private ranchland.
The search was arduous, with the K-9 teams tracking for a total of eleven miles to locate the group. Investigations revealed that some of those apprehended had been previously deported, while others possessed criminal records, including charges of assault and even predatory offenses against children.
Just weeks prior, a high-speed chase in Laredo culminated in the arrest of a human smuggler. The pursuit ended when the smuggler’s vehicle collided with a commercial truck, highlighting the dangerous risks associated with these operations.
The smuggler had been transporting ten individuals who had entered the country illegally, demonstrating the scale of the ongoing challenge and the lengths to which some will go to circumvent border security.
The fundamental importance of securing the nation’s borders is rooted in the very foundation of the United States. The Constitution, in Article IV, Section 4, explicitly tasks the federal government with protecting each state “against Invasion.”
This constitutional mandate underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s inherent responsibility to maintain national security. The return to a focus on enforcing these established principles is now underway.
Despite resistance from some states, the Texas DPS has remained a steadfast ally to the Border Patrol, working collaboratively to uphold the law and protect the integrity of the border. This partnership exemplifies a commitment to national security and the rule of law.
