T-SPAN for Texas

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 496,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 38,500 criminal arrests, with more than 34,900 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 453 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.

Texas has also bused:

Over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C. since April 2022
Over 37,400 migrants to New York City since August 2022
Over 31,100 migrants to Chicago since August 2022
Over 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022
Over 15,900 migrants to Denver since May 18
Over 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 14

Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden’s open border policies.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:

Governor Abbott: Blame Biden For Migrants Making Dangerous Illegal Crossings

On Wednesday, Governor Abbott slammed the Biden Administration on X, formerly known as Twitter, for blaming Texas for the deaths of migrants who make dangerous illegal crossings in the Rio Grande River.

Sharing a letter from Attorney General Ken Paxton to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Governor Abbott noted a federal judge’s previous ruling that states the Biden Administration creates an incentive for migrants to make dangerous illegal crossings.

Governor Abbott: Texas Using Every Available Strategy To Secure The Border

Governor Abbott shared construction video of Texas’ border wall earlier this week highlighting the state’s continued efforts to use every available tool and strategy to secure the border in President Biden’s absence.

WATCH: DPS Arrests Two Teenage Human Smugglers In Val Verde County

A 17-year-old human smuggler from San Antonio led DPS troopers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit in Val Verde County. The driver was eventually stopped at Laughlin Airforce Base, where troopers discovered the driver and 16-year-old passenger were smuggling five illegal immigrants, including an 11-year-old.

Both the driver and passenger were arrested for smuggling of persons. The five illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.

WATCH: Human Smuggler Leads DPS On Vehicle Pursuit At Speeds Over 100 Mph

A smuggler led DPS troopers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit, reaching speeds of 109 miles per hour and driving recklessly through a neighborhood in Val Verde County over the weekend. During the pursuit, the driver allowed two illegal immigrants to bail out, then lost control and crashed into a fence.

The driver was arrested and charged with evading arrest and smuggling of persons. With the assistance of the Del Rio Police Department, the two illegal immigrants were apprehended and referred to Border Patrol.

WATCH: Texas National Guard Reinforces Strategic Border Barriers In Shelby Park

The Texas Army National Guard recently reinforced strategic barriers at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, a hot spot for illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border. 1 Lt. Alexander Johnson, Bravo Company Executive Officer, Task Force Eagle, explained the importance of the Texas Army National Guard’s increased presence at Shelby Park.

“If the Texas Army National Guard were not here, then individuals would be able to cross through here—we’d have no idea who they are, what they’re doing here, what their purpose is,” said 1 Lt. Johnson. “But when they go through the legal point of entry, that’s when the proper authorities are able to do that and see who they are.”

Texas National Guard Surveillance Systems Support Law Enforcement Partners

The Texas National Guard has deployed a mobile video surveillance system and small unmanned aerial systems to monitor illegal crossings and criminal activity along the Texas-Mexico border.

These systems provide a bird’s eye view of large areas and allow information to be shared with state law enforcement partners.

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Thomas Gleeson to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for a term set to expire on September 1, 2029. Additionally, the Governor has named him Chair of the PUC. Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Thomas Gleeson to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for a term set to expire on September 1, 2029. Additionally, the Governor has named him Chair of the PUC. The PUC regulates the state’s electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications utility industries, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.

“Thomas Gleeson’s longtime service at PUC and wealth of knowledge make him the ideal choice for Chair of the Commission,” said Governor Abbott. “As a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience at the agency, including serving as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Thomas will help ensure Texans and Texas communities have the utility services they need. I thank Kathleen Jackson for her time serving as Interim Chair of the PUC, and I look forward to working with Thomas as we improve utility services in Texas and build an even better state for every Texan.”

Thomas Gleeson of Pflugerville is the Executive Director of the PUC, a position he has held since December 2020. He has worked for the PUC for over 15 years in various roles including, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Finance and Administration, and as a fiscal project manager. He is a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, he is the former chairman of the City of Pflugerville Finance and Budget Committee and the First United Methodist Church of Round Rock Finance Committee. Gleeson received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southwestern University and Master of Public Administration from The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced he will lead an economic development mission to India organized by the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office and the Texas Economic Development Corporation.Governor Greg Abbott today announced he will lead an economic development mission to India organized by the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office and the Texas Economic Development Corporation. The Texas delegation will depart today, January 19, 2024, and will return on January 28, 2024. During the trip, the delegation will meet with company executives, business leaders, and government officials to promote Texas’ mighty economy; encourage continued trade, job creation, and capital investment by Indian companies in Texas; and deepen the already-strong partnership between India and Texas. This will be Governor Abbott’s second trip to India.

“As the eighth-largest economy in the world and home to a highly skilled and growing workforce, Texas offers endless opportunities for business expansion and investment from our global partners,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is America’s—and the world’s—premier economic destination because of our dedication to cultivating a business-friendly environment where companies have the freedom and resources they need to thrive. There is great potential for us to expand critical industry and trade partnerships with India. I look forward to leading this economic development mission as we share the story and spirit of Texas’ longtime economic success and ingenuity with the people of India.”

The Governor will be joined by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office Executive Director Adriana Cruz, Texas Economic Development Corporation Vice Chair and President of Nextt Arun Agarwal, and Texas Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Aaron Demerson. The Texas delegation also includes business and economic development leaders from across the state, representing more than 16 companies, communities, and economic development organizations:

City of Dallas Economic Development Corporation Vice President Linda McMahon
City of Dallas Office of Economic Development Assistant Director Heather Lepeska
COSTEP Chief Executive Officer Adam Gonzalez
Dallas Regional Chamber Senior Vice President of Economic Development Mike Rosa
Frisco Economic Development Corporation Director of Economic Development Harry Whalen
greater:SATX Chief Economic Development Officer Sarah Carabias Rush
Greenlight Founder and CEO Manoj Kutty
GS Dallas Group Co-Founder and Chairman Sanjeev Khana
Houston Airport System Executive Director Mario Diaz
Houston Airport System Director of International Relations Zeljka Momirovic
Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia
Infosys Americas Executive Vice President and Head Rajesh Varrier
Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Vice President of International Affairs Joe Chapa
Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development Diana Velasquez
Opportunity Austin CEO Edward Latson
Opportunity Austin Vice President of Global Investment & Innovation Corey Rose
Select Dedicated Solutions CEO Ruben Garibay
Tata Consultancy Services Head of Government Relations Neil Bjorkman
Vistra Energy Senior Director of Community Affairs Brad Watson

India is ninth among all nations for the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Texas. According to Indian industry estimates, Texas is the most popular destination for Indian FDI capital investment and jobs created in the U.S. In the last decade, companies from India have invested $1.4 billion in capital investment through 59 projects in Texas, creating more than 10,300 jobs. In 2022, Texas’ total trade with India totaled $20.4 billion, making India the state’s 11th-largest total trade partner. That same year, Texas exports to India totaled $13.3 billion. Texas exports account for 28 percent of all U.S. exports to India.

The trip will be sponsored and paid for by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for marketing and promoting Texas as a premier business location. Along with the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office, these two organizations make up the cornerstone of Governor Abbott’s economic development agenda to build the Texas of tomorrow.