ACLU Report Criticizes Operation Lone Star for Racial Profiling and Unconstitutional Policing
The immigration enforcement program, Operation Lone Star (OLS), spearheaded by Governor Greg Abbott, has come under intense scrutiny from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU). In a scathing report titled Operation Lone Star: Misinformation and Discrimination in Texas Border Enforcement, the ACLU alleges that the program has disproportionately targeted Latinos since its inception. The report presents data collected between 2021 and 2023, revealing a significant rise in arrest rates for trespassing, with a staggering 97% of those arrested being of Latino descent. Furthermore, nearly 70% of individuals facing court appearances were only charged with misdemeanors.
Additionally, the ACLU report highlights that 75% of individuals arrested for drug-related offenses under OLS were American citizens, raising concerns about the program’s efficacy and discriminatory practices. The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) claim of over 38,000 arrests under OLS is disputed in the report, as less than 14,000 individuals actually appeared in court, casting doubt on the accuracy of the numbers touted by state authorities.
Sarah Cruz, the policy and advocacy strategist for border and immigrants’ rights at the ACLU of Texas, condemned the program, stating, “Texas has no business trying to run its own immigration enforcement program.” Cruz emphasized the dangers of conflating immigration with drugs and crime, labeling such rhetoric as false and detrimental to communities. She further criticized OLS as unconstitutional, ineffective, and morally reprehensible, calling for an immediate end to the state’s harsh treatment of immigrant communities.
In light of the ACLU report, Governor Abbott’s staunch support for OLS and continued enforcement efforts at the border despite legal challenges has sparked debate over the program’s legality and impact on vulnerable populations. The escalating tensions between state officials and civil rights advocates underscore the complex and contentious nature of immigration enforcement policies in Texas, raising questions about the balance between security concerns and human rights. As the debate intensifies, the future of Operation Lone Star hangs in the balance, amidst calls for reform and accountability from critics and supporters alike.
