The sheriffs of counties along the Rio Grande are meeting in Austin this week to talk about enforcement and how they can work with federal agencies. The Texas Border Sheriffs' Coalition is meeting through Wednesday.
Governor Greg Abbott spoke to the group Tuesday morning.
"We know you all are at the tip of the spear," he said. "You're on the front lines of dealing with this issue."
Abbott cited numbers showing fewer attempts to cross the border illegally since Donald Trump began his second administration. According to a press release from the White House, border encounters with people crossing illegally have dropped 95% and the number of people escaping Border Patrol has dropped 99%.
"As opposed to having to perform the functions we have been, which have been in contrast with what the federal government has been doing, instead we're able to collaborate with the federal government to deny illegal entry," Abbott said.
Abbott said members of the Texas National Guard are now working with the Border Patrol on apprehension, detention and processing. He said Texas is now working with the Trump Administration to determine how many National Guard members and Department of Public Safety troopers will be needed to continue that work.
"Secure borders are just common sense and something that is really bipartisan," he said. "Public safety is really common sense and bipartisan."
Abbott launched "Operation Lone Star" in 2021, ordering the Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard to join border enforcement efforts. During the Biden Administration, he said 11 million people tried to cross the border illegally.
"That added to the tasks you had to deal with," Abbott told border sheriffs. "You helped answer the call. We worked with you; working together, we had enormous success."
Despite a drop in illegal crossings, Abbott said law enforcement would have to "maintain their watch." He said the next budget could include $110 million to support local law enforcement participating in Operation Lone Star.