Texas is reportedly considering a new approach to address the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border by potentially transporting migrants directly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities for processing and deportation.

This plan would be a shift from the current strategy, which is part of Texas’ broader Operation Lone Star initiative, which has involved sending thousands of migrants to sanctuary cities across the U.S., according to sources cited by the New York Post.

While the proposal has not yet been approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the plan involves chartering buses from border cities to federal detention centers, where ICE agents would be able to quickly process the migrants for deportation.

June 30, 2021; Pharr, TX, USA; Former President Donald Trump waves to his supporters at an event with Gov. Greg Abbott at the unfinished border wall in Pharr on June 30, 2021. Trump returned to Texas for the first time since leaving office in January for a look at an unfinished section of the border wall near the Rio Grande and used the opportunity to fire broadsides at his successor and congressional Democrats. Mandatory Credit: Jay Janner-USA TODAY NETWORK

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A government source familiar with the discussions indicated that this move could be a critical part of the state’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration, especially given the substantial financial investment Texas has made in its border security operations.

“We are always going to be involved in border security so long as we’re a border state,” the Texas government source told the New York Post. “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.”

The idea to transport migrants directly to ICE facilities is part of Abbott’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration.

Over the past months, Abbott has been sending migrants to liberal-run cities in order to highlight the border crisis and provoke a national conversation about immigration policy.

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The proposed plan could further streamline the processing of migrants, making the deportation process more efficient by targeting federal facilities rather than relying on local or state resources.

In addition to the migrant transportation plan, Texas has been locked in legal battles with the Biden-Harris administration over its border enforcement measures.

Recently, an appeals court ruled that Texas has the authority to construct a razor-wire border wall to deter illegal immigration.

This ruling has given Texas a legal boost as it continues to take bold steps to protect its borders.

Texas officials have also been proactive in supporting federal efforts under a potential second term of President Donald Trump.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that her office had identified several properties that could be used to build deportation centers, providing the incoming Trump administration with the resources needed to hold and process illegal immigrants.

“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 visit to the border.

In another disturbing development at the border, Texas authorities reported incidents involving unaccompanied minors.

On Thursday, state troopers encountered a 10-year-old boy from El Salvador who had been abandoned by a human smuggler.

The boy was found in Maverick County, Texas, holding a cellphone and crying, saying that his parents were already in the U.S.

Just a few days earlier, troopers found a 2-year-old girl from El Salvador who was holding a piece of paper with her name and a phone number written on it.

Like the boy, she, too, said her parents were in the U.S.

Also on Sunday, Texas troopers apprehended a group of 211 illegal immigrants, including 60 unaccompanied children, ranging from ages 2 to 17.

The group also included six individuals of special interest from Mali and Angola, which has raised further security concerns.

Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez addressed the situation on X, calling attention to the risks posed to children in these dangerous criminal trafficking networks.

He noted that these children are often subjected to exploitation and trafficking, with many never being heard from again.

“Regardless of political views, it is unacceptable for any child to be exposed to dangerous criminal trafficking networks,” Olivarez wrote. “With a record number of unaccompanied children and hundreds of thousands missing, there is no one ensuring the safety & security of these children except for the men & women who are on the frontlines daily.”

This dire situation at the Texas-Mexico border underscores the ongoing challenges faced by state and federal authorities in managing the flow of migrants and addressing the safety concerns surrounding unaccompanied minors.

As Texas continues to push for more control over its border, it remains to be seen whether the proposed transportation plan and other measures will help reduce illegal immigration and ensure greater security for all involved.

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