The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is actively capturing migrants who have unlawfully crossed the border with Mexico, specifically targeting individuals classified by the federal government as “Special Interest Migrants.”
These migrants, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security, are deemed to potentially pose a national security risk to the United States or its interests.
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, in Maverick County, Texas, the most recent reported apprehensions of “Special Interest Migrants” took place. The DPS encountered a larger group of migrants and discovered a trio of “Special Interest Immigrants from Iran & Guinea” among them.
This discovery of Iranian “Special Interest Migrants” follows a previous encounter with seven “Special Interest Immigrants” from Iran and Angola, which was reported by the DPS in the same county three days earlier.
The recent discovery of Iranian “Special Interest Migrants” crossing the border illegally this month is concerning due to Iran being one of the four countries recognized by the U.S. as “State Sponsors of Terrorism.”
It is important to note that the United States and Iran have not had any formal diplomatic relationship since 1980, following the takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran in late 1979.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised concerns regarding the growing number of reports about potential terrorists entering the United States via the U.S.-Mexico border in its latest “Homeland Threat Assessment.”
“Individuals with potential terrorism connections continue to attempt to enter the Homeland. As of July, approximately 160 non-US persons in the TSDS attempted to enter the United States via the southern border this year.” U.S. DHS “Homeland Threat Assessment 2024”
On October 20, 2024, the DPS encountered a group of 30 Iranian “Special Interest Migrants”. According to the DPS, there have been other large groups of migrants reported this month, with each group consisting of well over 100 individuals.
Texas troops participating in “Operation Lone Star” along the Texas-Mexico border have achieved recent success in repelling one of these large groups.
“Forty-five illegal immigrants attempted to cross the Rio Grande, but Texas National Guard Soldiers repelled their attempt, resulting in Mexican immigration officials apprehending them.” Texas DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez (October 20, 2024)
Texas troops participating in “Operation Lone Star” are currently engaged in the construction of concertina and razor wire barriers along the Rio Grande. These barriers are being erected with the aim of increasing the difficulty for migrants attempting to cross the border illegally into the state.