President Donald Trump’s administration has reached a deal to grant the Texas National Guard new authority to make immigration arrests this weekend.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott referenced the deal on social media, saying it would “boost manpower for border security.” Under the agreement, Texas National Guard troops would be able to arrest illegal immigrants so long as there is a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent present. U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Abbott said the deal was “effective immediately” as of Sunday night.
The deal is only the latest front in Trump’s nationwide blitz against illegal immigration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other border security groups have leaned into their deportation efforts since Trump gained office.
Trump’s 2024 campaign promised to curb illegal immigration that flourished under the Biden administration. The 47th President promised to deport migrants, including those who had long rap sheets or ties to gangs or terrorist organizations.
On the first day of his second term, Trump issued ten executive orders aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration law and policy. Less than a week back in the Oval Office, Trump touted that he is keeping his promises.
“Within hours of taking the oath of office, I declared a national emergency at our southern border. I sent active duty troops on the border to help repel the invasion. Tom Homan is leading the charge. You know that. We like Tom Homan. Doing a great job,” Trump said at a recent rally.
“We immediately halted all illegal entry and began sending every border trespasser and violator back to the places from which they came. I signed an order that will designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. It’s a big deal, it’s a big deal. Biden didn’t want to do that,” he added. “Biden didn’t know he was alive. He didn’t want to do it.”
Federal officials deported some 7,300 illegal immigrants in the opening week of Trump’s administration alone.
Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report
The post Texas National Guard deputized to make immigration arrests appeared first on Fox News.
