There can be no homeland security without border security, and there can be no higher priority than protecting our citizens.

While our focus begins with preventing the worst of the violence currently raging in northern Mexico from spilling over into the United States, the violence is only part of the destruction that can result from a porous border. The free flow of drugs, weapons and people resulting from inadequate security can undercut economic development, education and trade. As such, they can hurt Texas families in every way imaginable, from loss of jobs to the loss of family members to addiction, imprisonment or death.

Border security is a federal responsibility but a Texas problem, and Texas has invested hundreds of millions of state dollars in efforts to support and supplement security forces already in place. Still, this is a problem that will only be solved with more federal accountability and involvement.

Action Items

»  Starting in 2005 with Operation Linebacker, the state has sought to provide funding, manpower and equipment to local law enforcement agencies operating along the Texas-Mexico border.
»  In 2007 Operation Border Star was introduced, which builds on the successes of previous operations with unprecedented local, state and federal law enforcement coordination. With the assistance of the 80th and 81st Legislatures, the State of Texas has been able to appropriate more than $110 million each session to fund and amplify these efforts.
»  In response to a rising tide of gang violence in Texas communities, the Governor allocated $4 million in criminal justice grants to cities across the state to increase patrols of gang hotspots. In 2009, Gov. Perry worked to secure more than $10 million in state funding for enhanced anti-gang efforts during the 2010-11 biennium.
»  In September 2009, Gov. Perry announced the formation of highly-skilled Ranger Recon Teams — which include Texas Rangers, Texas National Guard Counterdrug forces, Highway Patrol and DPS Aviation assets — in order to address threats building in the unincorporated areas along the Texas-Mexico border.
»  Since early 2009, Gov. Perry has repeatedly called on Washington to authorize the deployment of 1,000 Title 32 National Guard soldiers to the Texas-Mexico border to support border security operations currently underway. (see letter to President Obama, letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and request to Defense Secretary Gates)
»  Gov. Perry has also recommended an expeditious deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles to provide real-time surveillance and intelligence to law enforcement on the ground.
»  In 2011, Governor Perry again worked with the Texas Legislature to increase funding for border security. These efforts allowed for the implementation of Operation Drawbridge, which utilizes portable cameras that detect movement and transmit the captured images to multiple receivers. As of 2012, Operation Drawbridge has yielded 13,606 detections, 5,526 apprehensions, and over 13 tons of narcotics seized. These 2011 efforts also resulted in the addition of six 34-foot shallow water interceptors to patrol the Texas-Mexico border.

News & Announcements

• Wednesday, October 29, 2008 • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Allocates $557,000 CJD Grant to San Antonio Police Department
  
  
  Introduced by San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger, Gov. Perry talks about CJD grant for San Antonio Police Department. Also speaking in this video are Steve McCraw (Director of Governor's Office of Homeland Security) and William McManus (Chief of Police, SAPD).
  AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry today allocated $557,000 to help the San Antonio Police Department target transnational gang activity. This grant is awarded under the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD).
  » Read the Speech: Gov. Perry Announces Grants to Fund First Phase of New Gang Strategy
• Tuesday, October 21, 2008 • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Reiterates Need to Cut Discretionary State Spending
  DALLAS – Gov. Rick Perry today spoke at a Dallas Regional Chamber luncheon addressing the ramifications of both Hurricane Ike and the national economic downturn.
• Tuesday, October 21, 2008 • Speech
  Gov. Perry Remarks to the Dallas Regional Chamber
  "[W]e are all being affected by the current financial unrest. As a result, Texas businesses and families are tightening their belts, cutting spending, exercising greater discipline, taking a closer look at the difference between a want and a need."
• Thursday, October 09, 2008 • Press Release
  Gov. Perry, Local Leaders Pledge Support for National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
  SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today joined local and community leaders in a unified effort to recruit the federal Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) to San Antonio.
  » Read the Speech: Gov. Perry Promotes Recruitment of NBAF to San Antonio
• Tuesday, September 30, 2008 • Press Release
  Gov. Perry: Transnational Gangs Pose Significant Threat to Texas
  
  
  Gov. Rick Perry accepts the Border Security Council's report and announces transnational gang initiative. Also speaking in this video is Steve McCraw (Director of Governor's Office of Homeland Security).
  AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today accepted the Border Security Council’s report and asked the legislature to support continued border security funding to protect our state. Texas has taken unprecedented steps to secure its border with Mexico and is facing a growing threat: transnational gangs. They are infiltrating our communities and threatening the safety of our citizens.
  » Read the Speech: Gov. Perry Accepts Border Security Council Report, Announces Transnational Gang Initiative
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