No More Stops? Texas Sends Migrants Direct to ICE in This Wild Twist!

Texas is exploring a plan to restart its migrant bus program, this time with a new focus: sending newly arrived migrants directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. The aim is to speed up deportation processing and bolster the state’s border security efforts, according to a source familiar with the proposal.

While the plan has not yet been approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, it builds on Operation Lone Star, the state’s ongoing effort to deter illegal border crossings. “We are always gonna be involved in border security so long as we’re a border state,” said a source in the Texas government. “We spent a lot of taxpayer money to have the level of deterrent that we have on the border and we can’t just walk away.”

A New Strategy for Migrant Busing

Under the proposed plan, Texas would reroute chartered buses—originally used to transport migrants to sanctuary cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver—to ICE detention facilities instead. This move aims to streamline the deportation process by delivering migrants directly to federal agents, cutting down on logistical delays.

“That’s a way we could be involved in that, and of course, they would reimburse us for paying for the [bus] contract,” the Texas government source noted.

Federal Cooperation in the Spotlight

Tom Homan, the incoming border czar under President-elect Donald Trump, expressed interest in collaborating with Texas on this initiative. “We’re going to help them finish this job and secure Texas, and we’re going to work in partnership,” Homan said. He also assured Governor Abbott that the Trump administration would not obstruct state-led efforts to secure the border.

Although Abbott’s office has not commented on the proposal, Homan stated that he looks forward to discussing it further. “Abbott doesn’t have to worry about this administration suing him … to secure the Texas border,” he added.

The History and Impact of Texas’ Migrant Bus Program

Beginning in 2022, Texas transported nearly 120,000 migrants from the border to cities across the U.S., including New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The effort aimed to draw national attention to the escalating challenges at the southern border. New York City alone received approximately 45,900 migrants.

However, the busing program paused over the summer as illegal crossings into Texas sharply declined. State efforts to reinforce the border, along with additional enforcement measures, were credited for the reduction.

Preparing for a New Administration

With the Trump administration set to return, Texas leaders are taking proactive steps to support federal border policies. State Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that Texas has already identified land for deportation centers to be built along the border. “My office has identified several of our properties and is standing by ready to make this happen on Day One of the Trump presidency,” Buckingham said during a border visit.

Homan outlined his priorities for deportation under the new administration, emphasizing that migrants posing threats to public safety and national security will be targeted first.

A Broader Political Message

Texas State Representative Brian Harrison pointed to the recent election as a repudiation of the Biden administration’s border policies. “By voting Trump back into office, voters soundly repudiated Biden’s radical open borders policies that made less Americans safe,” Harrison said.

As Texas continues to navigate the complex dynamics of border security, this proposed shift in strategy underscores the state’s determination to address immigration challenges head-on. Whether this plan will receive full approval remains to be seen, but it signals a significant escalation in Texas’ role in federal immigration enforcement.