The fiscal year 2021 ended on September 30. Just one month into the fiscal year 2022, about 50,000 illegal migrants have escaped apprehension by U.S. Border Patrol. They are called the “got-aways”. This does not bode well for the situation on the southern border, the Biden border crisis.

Typically, the got-away metric is not released. Measured by observing surveillance systems and techniques like spotting footprints, it isn’t an exact science. The number of got-aways is likely much higher. Breitbart has a post written by a 32-year veteran of the United States Border Patrol. He notes that the number of 50,000 in just the first month of the new fiscal year is not a good sign. Border Patrol encounters totaled 160,000 in October. In the first three days of November, more than 15,000 were apprehended.

There is no end in sight. Border Patrol agents are overwhelmed. The agents process and provide humanitarian care for more the 5,000 illegal migrants each day in the midst of a pandemic. Last week it was reported that Governor Abbott is securing the Texas border with Mexico by using razor wire fencing and large shipping containers as border barriers. Preparations are being made for the next incoming caravan. Operation Lone Star is still underway, too.

In addition, the Governor said that the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety continue to send out military vehicles, gear and personnel, along the Rio Grande River to help keep the border secure, adding that they are ready for the next caravan heading towards the United States.

According to DPS, nearly 8,000 illegal migrants have been arrested so far, on criminal charges, as part of Operation Lonestar. 1,300 for criminal trespassing and more than 6,000 arrests have been made for felony charges.

In addition, there were more than 73,000 migrant apprehensions and 822 vehicle pursuits since the inception of Operation Lonestar, DPS officials shared during briefing on Thursday.

A press conference was held Thursday by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to give an update on Operation Lone Star. Texas DPS released the latest number of apprehensions at the border. The numbers, as of October 28, 2021 are:

*Over 8,500 criminal arrests
*Over 1,700 criminal tresspass arrests
*Over 155,000 migrant apprehension and referrals (combination of DPS and TMD
*877 vehicle pursuits
*10,000 pounds of marijuana
*1,600 pounds of cocaine
*1,500 pounds of methamphetamine
*37 pounds of heroin
*132 pounds of fentynl
*Over $5.5 million seized

The Texas Military Department also briefed at the press conference.

“We are continuing to conduct our air security operations,” said Major Perry. “We are also here to repeal any large caravan illegal migration.”

TMD’s new focus is on Operation Steel Curtains.

“We’ve identified these areas in these different task force locations and we’ve been able to rehearse getting our equipment and our personnel to those areas so that we can block and repel any large caravans that come in based off the area they are in,” explained Perry.

Texas Military Department is focused on apprehending transnational criminal organizations and repelling large caravans. It also identifies low water crossing locations in Texas from Del Rio to Brownsville. Operation Steel Curtain moves equipment and personnel into and out of areas in anticipation of caravans who may use the areas to cross the Rio Grande River. “The Texas National Guard, along with our Department of Public Safety partners, conducted rehearsal drills last week to block low water crossing areas along the Texas-Mexico border,” said Brig. Gen. Monie Ulis, TMD Border Commander. “The Guard is ready to surge personnel, equipment and capabilities to block illegal border crossing to safeguard Texans’ private property.”

Without additional help from the federal government and specifically DHS, the only thing Texas can do is what it can to protect its southern border. The border czar, Kamala Harris, remains missing in action and the DHS secretary continues to say the border is closed, though these numbers paint a very different picture.