A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Pete Flores and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reportedly granted Texas National Guard troops the authority to arrest migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to NewsNation and Breitbart. However, as of now, neither CBP nor Texas officials have publicly confirmed the agreement.
Under the reported terms of the MOU, Texas National Guard troops would be able to detain migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally, but they must operate alongside U.S. immigration officers or Border Patrol agents. NewsNation reported that the preliminary ratio of one immigration officer to four soldiers has been outlined, ensuring federal oversight in enforcement actions.
The development comes as part of Texas’ broader Operation Lone Star, a state-led border security initiative launched in 2021 to combat illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. While National Guard troops have long played a supporting role in border operations—assisting with surveillance, barrier construction, and intelligence gathering—this agreement would formally expand their role to include arrests.
The shift follows concerns that Guard members previously lacked the authority to detain migrants they encountered. NewsNation reported an incident where Texas troops were forced to “babysit” a migrant woman from Honduras for hours while waiting for Border Patrol to take custody.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he had signed an immigration enforcement agreement with the Trump administration, making his office the first in Texas to formally assist with mass deportation efforts under President Trump’s executive order. The agreement, signed under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows Texas law enforcement officers to assist federal agencies in investigating, detaining, and removing individuals who entered the country illegally. Paxton called on other state and local law enforcement agencies to join the effort.
On day one, President Trump took bold action to make America safe again.
I am proud to be the first to join him to restore our national sovereignty, secure our border, and ensure that criminal aliens face the justice they deserve.
As the top law enforcement official in Texas,… pic.twitter.com/dRlxP7TOcf
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 2, 2025
Breitbart reports that the MOU has not yet been fully implemented across all Texas border sectors, but thousands of Texas National Guard troops—already stationed along the border—would now have a greater role in immigration enforcement. Texas authorities have reportedly stated that this new policy would remain confined to border areas and not be expanded statewide.
