The state of Texas is weighing a proposal to redirect buses carrying illegal migrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities as part of a broader effort to support federal deportation operations. This plan, which aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, represents a significant shift in how Texas manages the transportation of migrants who cross the southern border.
A New Focus for Operation Lone Star
The idea is an extension of Texas’s ongoing Operation Lone Star initiative, which seeks to deter illegal border crossings and address the surge of migrants entering the state. Instead of sending migrants to sanctuary cities like New York or Chicago—a practice that has drawn national attention—the state would instead route buses directly to federal detention centers, facilitating quicker deportation processes.
Backing from Federal Officials
The plan has garnered support from Tom Homan, the incoming Trump administration’s newly appointed border czar and a former acting ICE director. Homan suggested that Texas could play a crucial role in assisting ICE by transporting migrants to detention centers, which would expedite the federal agency’s ability to process and deport individuals.
Homan has also floated the idea of reimbursing Texas for the costs associated with these bus contracts. Although Governor Greg Abbott has yet to formally commit to the plan, reports indicate a willingness to engage in further discussions about its implementation.
Texas’s Current Efforts in Migrant Transportation
Since 2022, Texas has bused nearly 120,000 migrants to sanctuary cities across the country as part of an effort to highlight the challenges posed by illegal immigration and strain on border states. While this approach has drawn criticism from some local leaders in destination cities, it has also amplified national awareness of the border crisis.
Proposed Deportation Centers
In addition to rerouting buses, Texas has offered land to the incoming Trump administration for the construction of deportation centers. These facilities would provide ICE with additional capacity to house and process illegal migrants, further supporting federal efforts to manage the immigration crisis.
Broader Impact and Implications
The proposed plan reflects a growing alignment between Texas and federal immigration policies under the Trump administration. By redirecting resources toward deportation, the state aims to reinforce its stance on border security while addressing what it describes as the failures of the Biden administration to adequately control illegal crossings.
As discussions around this proposal continue, it signals a shift in strategy that could have far-reaching implications for how states collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement. If implemented, the plan could streamline deportation processes while intensifying the focus on border security in the years ahead.
Original Story: https://nypost.com/2024/11/28/us-news/texas-considers-rerouting-migrant-buses-to-ice-for-deportation/