Texas-Mexico border crisis triggers disaster declaration renewal

WEBB COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) – The surge of illegal border crossings at the Texas-Mexico border in May of 2021 prompted a disaster declaration in the state of Texas, a measure that continues to be in effect to this day. Governor Greg Abbott renewed the declaration earlier this year, encompassing 58 counties, with Webb County among them.

On Monday, February 26, during their meeting, the Webb County Commissioner’s Court approved the continuation of this declaration. County Judge Tano Tijerina emphasized that this renewal shouldn’t cause alarm among residents. Instead, it is aimed at ensuring additional funding is allocated to local law enforcement agencies to assist in Texas’ efforts to secure the border.

“We received $1.8 million of Operation Lone Star monies for the border crisis. There is no reason to be alarmed,” stated Judge Tijerina. “There is no reason that we are in an emergency disaster because we are not. Again, it’s just a formality that we must do. Trust me, I tried different ways of looking about how we are going to do it, but after speaking at the governor’s office and speaking with the Texas officials in Austin, all the other counties are doing the same thing.”

Operation Lone Star, Texas’ initiative to address the border crisis, has resulted in the apprehension of over 480,000 immigrants who were living in the U.S. illegally.

For more headlines. click here.

Copyright 2024 KGNS. All rights reserved.