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Under Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas became an instrumental partner in the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort during the president's second term.
That’s about to change.
Democrat Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, fresh off her victory last Tuesday, has already signaled that Texas will reconsider its collaboration with federal immigration authorities under her administration.
President Trump says, “If they don’t continue my policy, I will.”
Be informed, not misled.
While serving in the state legislature, Hinojosa voted against funding Operation Lone Star, which Abbott launched in 2021 to address the border crisis. Now, she is looking at ending the initiative.
“What has happened is we’ve spent billions of dollars in this state, billions of dollars to detain immigrants, to police for immigrants,” she said in an interview, “We need a review of Operation Lone Star.”
Biden's open borders again?
This matters because it affects our entire country if the border is essentially reopened.
The San Antonio Star quotes her, "The election gives Democrats an opportunity to reshape Texas’ approach to immigration enforcement after years of Republican leadership." But Hinojosa and Johnson will inherit a system built through billions in spending, state laws, federal partnerships, and court rulings that could limit how quickly they can change course."
“Obviously, a new state governor can’t rewrite immigration laws, but Texas can make a difference in terms of the choices they make about how it uses its state resources,” said Kristin Etter, director of policy and legal services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for immigrants’ rights.
Both Hinojosa and Johnson have been critical of Abbott’s approach to immigration. But on the campaign trail, they didn’t commit to fully dismantling the immigration framework the governor and Paxton have built for the past decade.
One message on the campaign trail, another story now that they have gotten power.
When the Legislature reconvenes in January, the House will be controlled by Democrats, many of whom, like Hinojosa, have condemned — and voted against — the state’s border security spending.
The Washington Examiner notes that "Federal immigration authorities are already preparing for the changes. One Border Patrol agent told the Washington Examiner, “I fear that now Texas will bar any law enforcement working with us like they do in California.”
Via the Examiner.
A Border Patrol agent in Texas who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Hinojosa’s election was a “punch in the gut” in terms of what it meant for federal agents.
Most clear-thinking Americans would agree.
“Abbott was tough on crime especially on the smugglers … and it was always great working with other agencies,” the agent wrote in a text message on Thursday. “But I fear that now Texas will bar any law enforcement working with us like they do in California.”
Ammon Blair, senior fellow for the conservative-leaning Texas Public Policy Foundation and a former decade-long Border Patrol agent, said he “100%” expects Hinojosa to overhaul the state’s plethora of initiatives at the border, setting Texas up for possible problems if cartels try to exploit the borders.
The change in governors was not enough to concern the chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), who contended that the federal government still controls the border.
“Thanks to House Republicans’ historic reconciliation investments and the Trump Administration’s restoration of the rule of law, DHS has the tools and resources needed to keep our Southwest border secure,” Guest said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “As some at the state and federal levels try to undo the wins secured for the American people, the Republicans and the Trump Administration will fight to hold the line and will continue to put the safety of our citizens first.”
Takeaway
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a border-district Democrat poised to chair the DHS Appropriations Committee, fires back at the "Abolish ICE" wing of his own party and rips the Biden administration's border policies in a blunt warning to Democrats heading into 2028.
Cuellar tells Fox News Digital that most Democrats don't support defunding ICE, but he says the agency needs "serious rail guards." He also takes aim at Biden's asylum approach: "We just can't open up the border and just say anybody that wants to claim asylum can come to the border. That policy under the Biden administration, I hope that every Democrat running for national office doesn't do that anymore."
Meanwhile, Texas Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, who has sharply criticized Gov. Abbott's Operation Lone Star as a political "grandstand," has never called for ending all cooperation with ICE. Cuellar says he hasn't heard her support defunding the agency.
I repeat: President Trump says, “If they don’t continue my policy, I will.”
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Connected. Be Prayerful.
