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Governor Abbott bashes Biden over border battle with story of Houston murder victim Jocelyn Nungaray during RNC speech
Read full article: Governor Abbott bashes Biden over border battle with story of Houston murder victim Jocelyn Nungaray during RNC speechThe governor accused the president of fighting tooth and nail to stop Texas and other Republican states from securing their borders.
Border Patrol agents recorded the fewest monthly migrant apprehensions since 2021 on southern border
Read full article: Border Patrol agents recorded the fewest monthly migrant apprehensions since 2021 on southern borderMigrant apprehensions in Texas decreased by nearly one-third in June, the first month of a new order by President Joe Biden that widely limited asylum claims.
Texas National Guard is shooting pepper balls to deter migrants at the border
Read full article: Texas National Guard is shooting pepper balls to deter migrants at the borderMigrants in Mexico said they’ve been shot by the rounds, which leave bruises and disperse a chemical irritant. The state says Guard members are trained not to aim directly at people.
Texas immigrants’ rights groups sue Biden administration over asylum restrictions
Read full article: Texas immigrants’ rights groups sue Biden administration over asylum restrictionsBoth Democrats and Republicans have criticized the order, which limits asylum requests when illegal border crossings ramp up.
Texas National Guard member charged with human smuggling after high-speed chase near the border
Read full article: Texas National Guard member charged with human smuggling after high-speed chase near the borderAuthorities said the 26-year-old turned around at a Border Patrol checkpoint and fled from police in Kinney County.
Migrants storm border in El Paso, Texas, overwhelming National Guard
Read full article: Migrants storm border in El Paso, Texas, overwhelming National GuardHundreds of migrants stormed across the border into El Paso, Texas, overwhelming Texas National Guard soldiers as they breached razor-wire barricades in a bid to push further into the United States.
Texas will build camp for National Guard members in border city of Eagle Pass
Read full article: Texas will build camp for National Guard members in border city of Eagle PassTexas is expanding its grasp of a border city that has become the focus of a political struggle between the state and federal government.
U.S. Supreme Court says Texas can’t block federal agents from the border
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court says Texas can’t block federal agents from the borderThe high court’s order effectively maintains long-running precedent that the federal government — not individual states — has authority to enforce border security.
U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing
Read full article: U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossingThe state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
Texas Legislature sends $1.54 billion bill for border barriers to Gov. Abbott
Read full article: Texas Legislature sends $1.54 billion bill for border barriers to Gov. AbbottSenate Bill 3 would also appropriate $40 million for state troopers to patrol Colony Ridge, a housing development outside of Houston, and allow the state to send money to local jurisdictions to offset the cost of enforcing another immigration-related bill.
Texas National Guard disbanded intelligence wing after members used WhatsApp to spy on migrants
Read full article: Texas National Guard disbanded intelligence wing after members used WhatsApp to spy on migrantsFour members of the unit working on Gov. Greg Abbott’s border mission have been punished after whistleblowers reported the surveillance operation violated long-standing rules against state-run spy operations.
Mexico officials say National Guard member who shot at migrant “separated from his position”
Read full article: Mexico officials say National Guard member who shot at migrant “separated from his position”The Texas Military Department confirmed Friday the National Guard member who is accused of shooting across the Rio Grande and wounding a man was placed on paid leave.
Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas Senate
Read full article: Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas SenateThe mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes.
Bill providing death benefits for National Guard serving along southern border sent to governor
Read full article: Bill providing death benefits for National Guard serving along southern border sent to governorThe legislation was named for Bishop Evans, who drowned last year trying to rescue migrants in the Rio Grande.
Greg Abbott asked other governors for help patrolling the Texas-Mexico border. Ron DeSantis answered the call.
Read full article: Greg Abbott asked other governors for help patrolling the Texas-Mexico border. Ron DeSantis answered the call.Although border encounters have fallen since Title 42 ended Thursday, Texas’ top Republican asks for “all available law enforcement personnel and resources.”
After Title 42’s end, Texas DPS pauses Austin patrols so officers can head to the border
Read full article: After Title 42’s end, Texas DPS pauses Austin patrols so officers can head to the borderDespite no major influx in border crossings, state troopers will be relocated to border cities. Austin and the Texas Department of Public Safety faced criticism for the racial disparities in state trooper arrests in the capital.
Family of dead National Guardsman urges Legislature to make death benefits bill named for him retroactive
Read full article: Family of dead National Guardsman urges Legislature to make death benefits bill named for him retroactiveWhile the state guarantees law enforcement officers, like Department of Public Safety troopers, a $500,000 death benefit for their families if they die on duty, National Guard troops who stand shoulder to shoulder with those DPS officers on Operation Lone Star don’t have the same benefit.
Judge orders halt to fast releases at US border with Mexico
Read full article: Judge orders halt to fast releases at US border with MexicoA federal judge has ordered the Biden administration to end the expedited releases of migrants entering the United States from Mexico, potentially straining already stretched holding facilities.
Texas Military Department says it needs $460 million more to keep border mission afloat this year
Read full article: Texas Military Department says it needs $460 million more to keep border mission afloat this yearState officials have repeatedly had to move money from other departments to keep Gov. Greg Abbott’s multibillion-dollar border mission running this year.
U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42, the pandemic-era policy to quickly turn away migrants, for now
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42, the pandemic-era policy to quickly turn away migrants, for nowThe court ordered the Biden administration to continue enforcing the policy while Texas and other states that want to keep the Trump-era rule in place prepare their legal arguments.
What is the Texas National Guard and why does it matter in this year’s gubernatorial election?
Read full article: What is the Texas National Guard and why does it matter in this year’s gubernatorial election?A governor’s military powers are often not discussed as part of the election process, in favor of other prominent issues like education and taxes. But with Operation Lone Star in plain view, voters may have more questions this election.
Another National Guard soldier working Operation Lone Star dies by suspected suicide
Read full article: Another National Guard soldier working Operation Lone Star dies by suspected suicideThe soldier is the 10th known Texas Guard member linked to the mission to die since its rapid expansion began in September 2021.
Texas soldier who drowned trying to help migrants wasn’t equipped with flotation device
Read full article: Texas soldier who drowned trying to help migrants wasn’t equipped with flotation deviceSpc. Bishop Evans died after jumping into the Rio Grande to save migrants. He and other members of Operation Lone Star were not provided safety equipment. Texas Military Department said an order for buoys and ropes was made but has not been fulfilled.
Body of Texas National Guard member found after he was washed away while saving drowning migrants
Read full article: Body of Texas National Guard member found after he was washed away while saving drowning migrantsSpc. Bishop E. Evans, a 22-year-old field artilleryman from Arlington, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2019.
Texas National Guard replaces commander overseeing Gov. Greg Abbott’s troubled border mission
Read full article: Texas National Guard replaces commander overseeing Gov. Greg Abbott’s troubled border missionThe brigadier general steps down from commanding Operation Lone Star’s military efforts after five months.
Shakeup of Texas border mission leadership continues as pair of two-star generals departs
Read full article: Shakeup of Texas border mission leadership continues as pair of two-star generals departsThe departure of three top officials in a week signals that officials may be looking to make changes to the heavily criticized mission. A soldier leading a unionization effort welcomed the moves.
National Guard troops were dispatched to famous Texas ranches with private security as part of border mission
Read full article: National Guard troops were dispatched to famous Texas ranches with private security as part of border missionThe dispatching of troops to the sprawling private ranches, far from the border, raises questions about the use of National Guard troops, who have widely decried the mission as aimless, political and oversized, as the cost of the effort has already ballooned to $2 billion a year.
“I hate it here”: National Guard members sound off on Texas border mission in leaked morale survey
Read full article: “I hate it here”: National Guard members sound off on Texas border mission in leaked morale surveyFrustration, anxiety and anger prevailed in the survey responses obtained by the The Texas Tribune and Military Times. The survey includes responses from nearly 250 members of Task Force South, one of six units that fall under the umbrella of Operation Lone Star.
Deplorable conditions, unclear mission: Texas National Guard troops call Abbott’s rushed border operation a disaster
Read full article: Deplorable conditions, unclear mission: Texas National Guard troops call Abbott’s rushed border operation a disasterThe governor has sent waves of troops to the border as Guard officials scramble to execute a massive mobilization that would normally take months to plan. Some Guard members say the operation has set back their income, education and well-being.
Probe of Texas National Guard border mission demanded over suicide attempts, abysmal conditions and delayed pay
Read full article: Probe of Texas National Guard border mission demanded over suicide attempts, abysmal conditions and delayed payThe call for action from Texas Democrats comes as another service member based in the city of Pharr survived a suicide attempt on Sunday, according to an incident report obtained by Army Times and The Texas Tribune.
Gov. Greg Abbott says critics are "playing politics" over Texas National Guard suicides
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says critics are "playing politics" over Texas National Guard suicidesAbbott said the suicides are being investigated and thinks it will come out that not all “actually occurred during Operation Lone Star.”
Texas lawmakers deplore mistreatment of National Guardsmen sent to border duty
Read full article: Texas lawmakers deplore mistreatment of National Guardsmen sent to border dutyLegislative leaders overseeing the Texas Military Department say they are looking into reports of suicides, habitual pay problems and poor working conditions on Gov. Greg Abbott's highly touted border mission.
Allen West blasts Gov. Greg Abbott over suicides, pay problems among National Guardsmen at the border
Read full article: Allen West blasts Gov. Greg Abbott over suicides, pay problems among National Guardsmen at the borderAbbott’s political challenger said guard members deployed to Operation Lone Star are facing late pay, being exposed to COVID-19, experiencing supply shortages and dealing with added stress that has led to multiple suicides tied to the mission.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate for Texas National Guard
Read full article: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate for Texas National GuardTexas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office said Tuesday that the governor sent a letter on saying he plans to sue the federal government over the vaccine mandate for the Texas National Guard.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas National Guard to help with migrant arrests at the border
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas National Guard to help with migrant arrests at the borderIn a letter to the major general of the Texas National Guard, Abbott said “more manpower is needed” at the border.
Texans can now schedule free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for groups of 5 or more
Read full article: Texans can now schedule free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for groups of 5 or moreGov. Greg Abbott encouraged “groups of Texans who wish to get vaccinated as a business, family unit, friend group, or more” to schedule an event.
Texas National Guard deployed to get COVID-19 vaccines to homebound seniors
Read full article: Texas National Guard deployed to get COVID-19 vaccines to homebound seniors“The good news is there’s going to be a record amount of vaccines available across Texas this week with increasing numbers going forward,” he said. Officials have hinted the next group of vaccine eligible Texans could include teachers and other essential workers. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses and have to be stored at temperatures well below freezing. AdThe program is modeled in part after the Save Our Seniors program in Corpus Christi, where Abbott made his remarks Thursday. There, some 2,000 doses have been given to homebound seniors through the local program, officials said.
Texas National Guard teams will vaccinate residents for COVID-19 in five rural counties, Gov. Greg Abbott announces
Read full article: Texas National Guard teams will vaccinate residents for COVID-19 in five rural counties, Gov. Greg Abbott announcesSoldiers with the Texas National Guard work at a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on May 5, 2020. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that National Guard troops will vaccinate residents in five rural counties as part of a new pilot program. Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORKStarting Thursday, state mobile vaccination teams staffed by Texas National Guard members will be deployed to five rural Texas counties to administer coronavirus vaccines to qualified residents. National Guard teams will visit DeWitt, Marion, Real, Sherman and Starr counties as part of a newly-created State Mobile Vaccine Pilot Program announced by Gov. On Wednesday, President Biden ordered full reimbursement to states that use the National Guard to increase the pace of vaccinations nationally.
A week before the election, Texas National Guard prepares to deploy troops to cities
Read full article: A week before the election, Texas National Guard prepares to deploy troops to citiesThe Texas Army National Guard said Monday that up to 1,000 troops could be dispatched to cities across Texas ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Brandon Jones, a spokesperson for the Guard, said the deployment is not related to the election and troops would not be stationed at polling places. The newspaper reported that Guard members could arrive as soon as this weekend. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has not been contacted by either Abbott or the Guard about the deployment, spokesperson Mary Benton told The Texas Tribune on Tuesday. Separately, the FBI’s field office in Dallas warned that far-right extremists could pose a violent threat in North Texas around the election.
Texas National Guard soldier dies during training at Fort Hood
Read full article: Texas National Guard soldier dies during training at Fort HoodFORT HOOD, Texas – A fifth soldier in about three months has died at Fort Hood, according to authorities. “The military is a family, and the entire Texas National Guard mourns with Sgt. The entire Texas Military Department mourns... Posted by Texas Military Department on Saturday, August 15, 2020Moore’s cause of death has yet to be determined and an investigation is now underway. This marks the fifth death at the Fort Hood base. In late June, skeletal remains were found in a field near Fort Hood.
Gov. Abbott activates the Texas National Guard amid protests across the state
Read full article: Gov. Abbott activates the Texas National Guard amid protests across the stateHOUSTON – Gov. Greg Abbott has activated the Texas National Guard in response to protest violence throughout the state Saturday, according to a press release. “Texans have every right to exercise their first amendment rights, but violence and looting will not be tolerated,” Abbott said in a statement. Earlier, Abbott announced DPS was sending more than 1,500 officers to assist local police departments. “As Texans exercise their 1st Amendment rights, it is imperative that order is maintained and private property is protected.”