AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Amid a relative lull in border crossings, Texas lawmakers are considering how to proceed with Operation Lone Star, the state’s massive and unilateral border enforcement efforts.
The Texas Senate’s Committee on Border Security heard hours of testimony from experts and stakeholders Thursday, highlighting the impact of the operation and the continuing needs to expand and take care of its personnel.
“We have paid an incredible price for the deterrence that we’ve gained,” State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury said. “If we retract from that, the cost of regaining that deterrence will be higher than the price we’re paying for maintaining that deterrence now.”…