Missouri – On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Governor Mike Parson traveled to the Southern Border near Eagle Pass, Texas, to receive an update on the Missouri personnel deployed to the border to support Operation Lone Star.
Operation Lone Star was launched in 2021 by Governor Abbott of Texas and was designed to respond to the rise of illegal immigration. This was a declaration to the Department of Public Safety to use all resources to enforce all state and federal laws to prevent criminal activity along the border. Missouri sent approximately 50 National Guard troopers and 22 patrol officers. Governor Parson’s office has stated that Missouri National Guard troopers have assisted with 1,195 undocumented migrant surrenders and 708 undocumented migrant detections and turn backs.
While Governor Parson is at the border he also signed House Bill 2016. The House Bill will fund the deployment of Missouri personnel to the border. The Governor was joined by Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Levon Cumpton and Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Victor Escalon for the signing. The signing was live-streamed on Governor Parson’s Facebook Page. To read the full House Bill 2016 click here.
Both Missouri State Highway Patrolmen and Missouri National Guard were deployed in February of this year. As of this time, it is unclear if there is a public list of the individuals who have been sent, or from which areas of Missouri they reside.
