News
September 13, 2025
“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump’s mass deportation
The Department of Public Safety has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country, a job once exclusively done by federal authorities.
**“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump’s mass deportation**
Texas's Department of Public Safety (DPS) is significantly expanding its role in immigration enforcement, shifting its focus from border security to actively arresting undocumented immigrants within the state, a move critics are calling "Operation Lone Star 2.0." This renewed effort is seen as bolstering former President Trump's agenda of mass deportations, blurring the lines between state and federal authority on immigration matters.
Previously, Operation Lone Star, initiated in 2021, primarily concentrated on deterring illegal crossings at the Texas-Mexico border. While the DPS maintained a presence along the border, its activities were largely framed as supporting federal border patrol efforts and combating drug trafficking. However, the DPS is now increasingly involved in arresting individuals with undocumented status well within Texas borders, a function traditionally reserved for federal immigration authorities.
The shift has raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling and the overreach of state power into federal jurisdiction. Civil rights organizations argue that the DPS's expanded role could lead to the unjust targeting of Hispanic communities and the erosion of due process rights for undocumented immigrants. Critics also point out the significant financial burden placed on Texas taxpayers, as the state shoulders the costs associated with these arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
The number of arrests attributed to this expanded operation is already in the thousands, with individuals facing charges ranging from trespassing to more serious offenses that can trigger deportation proceedings. The exact criteria used by DPS troopers to identify and arrest suspected undocumented immigrants remain unclear, fueling anxieties about potential abuses of power.
This intensified state involvement in immigration enforcement comes at a time of heightened political tensions surrounding border security and immigration policy. While proponents argue that Operation Lone Star 2.0 is necessary to protect Texas communities and uphold the rule of law, opponents view it as a politically motivated effort that undermines federal authority and infringes on the rights of vulnerable populations. The legal challenges to the operation are expected to mount as the DPS continues its expanded enforcement activities across the state.
Texas's Department of Public Safety (DPS) is significantly expanding its role in immigration enforcement, shifting its focus from border security to actively arresting undocumented immigrants within the state, a move critics are calling "Operation Lone Star 2.0." This renewed effort is seen as bolstering former President Trump's agenda of mass deportations, blurring the lines between state and federal authority on immigration matters.
Previously, Operation Lone Star, initiated in 2021, primarily concentrated on deterring illegal crossings at the Texas-Mexico border. While the DPS maintained a presence along the border, its activities were largely framed as supporting federal border patrol efforts and combating drug trafficking. However, the DPS is now increasingly involved in arresting individuals with undocumented status well within Texas borders, a function traditionally reserved for federal immigration authorities.
The shift has raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling and the overreach of state power into federal jurisdiction. Civil rights organizations argue that the DPS's expanded role could lead to the unjust targeting of Hispanic communities and the erosion of due process rights for undocumented immigrants. Critics also point out the significant financial burden placed on Texas taxpayers, as the state shoulders the costs associated with these arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
The number of arrests attributed to this expanded operation is already in the thousands, with individuals facing charges ranging from trespassing to more serious offenses that can trigger deportation proceedings. The exact criteria used by DPS troopers to identify and arrest suspected undocumented immigrants remain unclear, fueling anxieties about potential abuses of power.
This intensified state involvement in immigration enforcement comes at a time of heightened political tensions surrounding border security and immigration policy. While proponents argue that Operation Lone Star 2.0 is necessary to protect Texas communities and uphold the rule of law, opponents view it as a politically motivated effort that undermines federal authority and infringes on the rights of vulnerable populations. The legal challenges to the operation are expected to mount as the DPS continues its expanded enforcement activities across the state.
Category:
Politics