A newly reviewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the State of Texas will immediately grant Texas National Guard soldiers the authority to make immigration arrests within the state.
JUST IN: Trump administration gives Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s National Guard immigration and arrest authority – NewsNation pic.twitter.com/iiKFMotzNv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 2, 2025
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The memorandum, authored by CBP Acting Commissioner Pete R. Flores, expands the role of Texas National Guard personnel in border security efforts.
The MOU, which has not yet been fully disseminated across all Texas border sectors, authorizes National Guard soldiers to conduct roving patrols and perform duties typically assigned to immigration officers.
#BREAKING: The Trump administration has officially DEPUTIZED the Texas National Guard, giving them immigration enforcement and arrest power, per @AliBradleyTV
This adds another 4,000+ personnel protecting our borders.
THANK YOU 47 and @GregAbbott_TX! pic.twitter.com/qT9OqrwMng
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 2, 2025
However, the agreement stipulates that these soldiers must operate under the supervision of a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent.
The preliminary structure of the program sets the ratio at one immigration officer per four Texas National Guard soldiers.
The new authority follows similar actions taken just days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
On January 23, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorized multiple federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals, to investigate, locate, and apprehend individuals in the U.S. illegally.
The memorandum granting this expanded authority was obtained and released in a CBS News report, detailing the administration’s latest immigration enforcement measures.
Under Title 8 of the United States Code, arrest authority for immigration violations is typically granted to federal immigration agents.

The new memorandum effectively extends that authority to Texas National Guard soldiers when working alongside federal agents, increasing the number of personnel involved in immigration enforcement efforts.
With this agreement, an estimated 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers will now assist the DHS in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Their duties, which have traditionally been reserved for law enforcement personnel assigned to federal agencies, will now include apprehending individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
The move is expected to bolster border security operations by increasing manpower along key entry points.
Texas has been at the center of immigration enforcement actions, with Governor Greg Abbott’s administration taking a strong stance on border security.
The deployment of National Guard soldiers with immigration arrest authority represents an escalation in the state’s immigration enforcement strategy.

As the agreement takes effect, Texas National Guard personnel will play a larger role in addressing illegal immigration under federal supervision.
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