The Texas National Guard has been granted new authority to act as immigration enforcement officials, allowing them to make immigration-related arrests under an agreement with the Trump administration. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday that the policy was effective immediately.
This expansion of the National Guard’s role aligns with President Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which aims to expel millions of undocumented immigrants. Shortly after returning to office, Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, reinforcing his commitment to stricter immigration policies.
Under the new agreement, made between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Texas officials, Abbott stated that this move increases manpower for border security. However, the memorandum of understanding, issued by CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores, has yet to be fully implemented across all Texas border sectors, according to reports from Breitbart.
For now, Texas National Guard soldiers will be able to conduct roving patrols and perform the duties of an immigration agent, as long as they are accompanied by a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent. The timeline for when this authority will be fully enacted across the border remains unclear, as officials from Abbott’s office did not immediately provide further details.
This development follows a January 23 directive from the Department of Homeland Security, which expanded the authority of Justice Department law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), granting them the ability to investigate and detain suspected undocumented immigrants.
However, Trump’s efforts to expand fast-track deportations without a full court hearing are facing legal challenges. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit, arguing that the new process violates federal law and the Fifth Amendment’s due process protections, as it effectively eliminates the right of immigrants to a full hearing before deportation.
As legal battles unfold, the debate over immigration enforcement and border security continues, with Texas taking a leading role in implementing Trump’s tougher policies.
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