DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas State Senator Royce West is calling for a legislative investigation into issued allegations made by the Houston Chronicle regarding actions of the Texas Department of Public Safety along the Texas border as part of Operation Lone Star.
“The issues reported by the Houston Chronicle regarding the activities of the Department of Public Safety and its leadership at our southern border are appalling,” said Senator West. “The acts and conduct of some officers described are so serious that if such tactics were deployed in a war, they could be alleged to be war crimes and must be investigated by the appropriate legislative oversight committees.”
Recent reports surfaced that the Texas Department of Public Safety directed State Troopers to push migrants back into the Rio Grande River and withhold water from them, amid scorching heat. The report shows a DPS State Trooper’s email he says he sent to supervisors with concerns about the way migrants are being treated at the border. Those concerns include a 19-year-old woman who was trapped in razor wire placed at the border, and had a miscarriage. As well as a 4-year-old girl who was aid to have overheated, and a man who cut his leg while trying to rescue his child from wire.
Texas State Troopers and National Guard members have been stationed at the Texas Mexico border for years as part of the state’s Operation Lone Star.
“I take very seriously claims that DPS, according to published officer’s accounts, has done things like sink barbed wire covered barrels in the Rio Grande River and instructed troops to push children back into the water from the river banks, said Senator West. “It is time for the Legislature, through the committee process, to exercise greater oversight of ongoing DPS and Texas Facilities Commission operations along our southern border.”
Senator West said this is a human rights issue, plain and simple. State dollars cannot fund this type of conduct.
“As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I call upon Chairwoman, Senator Joan Huffman, to immediately convene hearings to determine whether state moneys and resources are being utilized appropriately at our southern border,” Senator West said. “I will not and hopefully my colleagues won’t sit idly by while state taxpayer dollars fund cruelty and human rights abuses.”
The Office of the Governor issued a joint statement this week from Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer following reporting on directives given under Operation Lone Star.
“No orders or directions have been given under Operation Lone Star that would compromise the lives of those attempting to cross the border illegally,” the statement reads. “The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department continue taking steps to monitor migrants in distress, provide appropriate medical attention when needed, and encourage them to use one of the 29 international bridges along the Texas-Mexico Border where they can safely and legally cross. With migrants from over 150 countries encouraged by open border policies to risk their lives and make this dangerous trek to enter our country illegally, Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry. The absence of these tools and strategies—including concertina wire that snags clothing—encourages migrants to make potentially life-threatening and illegal crossings. Through Operation Lone Star, Texas continues stepping up to respond to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our southern border.”
Governor Abbott noted that all personnel assigned to Operation Lone Star are prepared to detect and respond to any individuals who may need water or medical attention. He said Operation Lone Star agency partners use verbal warnings and signage to direct migrants attempting to illegally cross from Mexico into Texas to use ports of entry to protect the lives of migrants, DPS troopers, and Texas National Guard soldiers.
“Until President Biden reverses his open border policies and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue protecting Texans and Americans from the chaos along the border,” Governor Abbott insisted.
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