Crockett, Casar Lead Texas Dems in Letter to DOJ Calling for Federal Oversight of Operation Lonestar
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Congressman Greg Casar led fellow Texas Democratic Reps. Allred, Castro, Doggett, Escobar, Fletcher, Garcia, Gonzalez, Green, Jackson Lee, and Veasey in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for greater federal oversight of Texas' 'Operation Lonestar' (OLS) program.
Devised by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, 'Operation Lonestar' has already resulted in at least 74 deaths in the past year, as well as numerous cases of violence and cruel treatment of migrants. Reporting has documented the use of razor wire and buoys in the Rio Grande, deadly vehicle pursuits, and prolonged detention without due process. With Governor Abbott poised to sign Texas S.B. 4 into law this week, there is concern that the greater latitude for law enforcement to detain individuals suspected of being foreign nationals granted by this law will lead to greater violence against migrants and targeting of Latino Texans.
"Despite the egregious and recurring abuses spanning almost two years, we are concerned over the lack of remedial and preventive actions taking place at the federal level," write the members. "While Governor Abbott ramps up his escalated actions under OLS, we continue to see civil rights violations and illegal actions, whether it is the continuing 'trespassing' arrests of immigrants, razor-wire installations, or physical interposition by DPS and Texas Guard personnel preventing migrants from accessing safety and medical care, as illustrated from a video last month showing a Texas National Guard soldier accosting a migrant stuck in barbed wire."
"In the face of ongoing escalation, it is critical that DOJ assert its rightful field preemption and send a strong message regarding OLS abuses. We are also seeking clarity regarding the Administration’s position as to the legal interference of federal immigration law by Texas officials and law enforcement acting under OLS," the members continue.
"We do not downplay the severe challenges our nation is facing at the Southern border and the need for new solutions. Undoubtedly, Congress must put aside partisan differences and come together to address the broken immigration system. We also acknowledge that collaboration and cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement is necessary to achieve progress and address the humanitarian needs at the Southern Border. However, we must ensure that actions taken at the Southern Border are legal and that we continue to protect and uphold the rights of all persons, regardless of their nationality. The reported harms to migrants and due process violations on U.S. soil must not be simply left to advocates and reporters to observe, document, and address," the members conclude.
Congresswoman Crockett has called on the DOJ to provide a briefing to Congress with an update on findings of recent investigation into Operation Lonestar, and asks that DOJ commit to deploy federal civil rights observers to the areas impacted by Operation Lonestar.
The full letter is available here
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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett represents portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties, with the cities of Dallas, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Wilmer, Arlington, Ovilla, and Seagoville.