MISSION, TEXAS — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday held a news conference at the Texas-Mexico border concerning what he describes as an “ongoing humanitarian crisis.”

Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Tuesday launched Operation Lone Star to combat the smuggling of people and drugs into Texas. 

He also said policies being enacted by the Biden administration are making the border less safe.

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“Border security is the federal government’s responsibility, but the State of Texas will not allow the administration’s failures to endanger the lives of innocent Texans. Instead, Texas is stepping up to fill the gaps left open by the federal government to secure the border, apprehend dangerous criminals, and keep Texans safe,” Abbott said. 

The operation integrates DPS with the Texas National Guard and will include air, ground, Marine, and tactical border security assets. The target, the governor’s office says, is Mexican drug cartels and other smugglers.

Prior to Tuesday’s news conference, Gov. Abbott was briefed by the U.S. Border Patrol, Texas National Guard, and DPS representatives. He also took part in an aerial tour of the border.