Governor Mike Parson announced that Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe will travel to McAllen, Texas, on Saturday, April 13, to meet with Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) troopers, receive an in-person update on Operation Lone Star, and assess Missouri’s ongoing MSHP deployment to the Southern Border. Lt. Governor Kehoe, along with Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Sandy Karsten and MSHP Colonel Eric Olson, will participate in the visit.
On May 8, 2024, Governor Parson is scheduled to visit Missouri National Guard members deployed near Eagle Pass, Texas, in support of Operation Lone Star. Additional information will be provided before the trip.
Governor Parson emphasized Missouri’s commitment to border security, stating, “With millions of illegal immigrants and lethal doses of fentanyl crossing our Southern Border, Missouri stands with Texas as the federal government under President Biden fails to protect our communities. We commend Lt. Governor Kehoe for his leadership in addressing this critical issue and for his efforts to ensure that Missouri’s resources continue to bolster border security.”
Lt. Governor Kehoe praised the efforts of the MSHP troopers and Missouri National Guard soldiers, remarking, “Missourians are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our personnel in supporting Texas during this crisis. We recognize the importance of a secure Southern Border, and I am grateful for Governor Parson’s initiative in deploying our resources to assist Governor Abbott in Texas.”
Missouri’s Southern Border Operations Overview
On February 20, 2024, Governor Parson issued Executive Order 24-03, which activated up to 200 Missouri National Guard members and 22 MSHP troopers to support Operation Lone Star. Initially, 11 MSHP troopers began their deployment on March 1, 2024, and were stationed to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety with border security operations.
Details on MSHP Deployment
Starting March 1, 2024, the first group of 11 MSHP troopers traveled to southern Texas to provide law enforcement support. They attended a briefing at the Texas DPS South Region Office in Weslaco, Texas, on March 3 and commenced their duties the following day. A second group of 11 troopers followed on March 30, 2024, starting their assignment after a briefing on April 1.
Between March 3 and April 9, MSHP troopers participated in numerous operations including:
- Traffic Stops – 1,180
- Undocumented Migrants – 447
- Undocumented Migrant Turn-Backs – 45
- Impaired Driver and Drug Arrests – 54
- Other Law Enforcement Assists – 80
Troopers, serving in 12-hour shifts, cooperated closely with Texas DPS personnel to ensure safety and enhance operational efficiency. Their duties ranged from routine traffic stops to intercepting undocumented migrants.
Missouri National Guard’s Role
Since March 15, members of the 138th Infantry Regiment and the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade have been active alongside Texas Army National Guard soldiers. Their assignments included 24-hour security surveillance along the Rio Grande River, focusing on detecting and managing undocumented migrant activities.
The collaborative efforts led to:
- Undocumented Migrant Surrenders – 624
- Undocumented Migrant Detections & Turn Backs – 68
