Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, along with National Guardsmen and Border Patrol agents, remain active in arresting migrants who illegally enter the United States by avoiding ports of entry. Despite historic lows in border apprehensions under the Trump administration, authorities in Texas regularly encounter dangerous criminals and foreign nationals who manage to evade initial capture at the border.
Recently, DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivares released footage showing these continuous operations, including officers tracking down migrants hidden deep within the Texas countryside. One notable arrest involved three Chinese nationals who managed to avoid initial detection after crossing illegally near Mission, Texas.
The video shared by Lt. Olivares underscores how migrants who successfully slip past border patrol checkpoints—called “got-aways”—still pose significant threats within the interior of Texas. These migrants are frequently discovered by specialized teams, including Border Patrol’s Mounted Patrol unit and DPS K-9 officers who specialize in difficult terrain and tracking.
One recent case highlighted by Lt. Olivares involved migrants attempting to hide in dense brush within Duval County, Texas. The team of mounted Border Patrol agents tracked the migrants until DPS K-9 units successfully located and arrested them. These illegal migrants were then turned over to Border Patrol custody for processing.
Another incident last week saw DPS troopers intercepting a smuggling operation in Dimmitt County. After pulling over an SUV driven by a Florida resident, troopers found two Mexican nationals hidden in the vehicle’s cargo area. Both were illegally present in the United States and attempting to evade authorities.
Earlier, Lt. Olivares detailed another concerning case: three Chinese nationals apprehended near Mission, Texas. Like many recent arrests, these individuals had successfully crossed the border without encountering initial law enforcement screening, demonstrating the continued risks posed by migrants who circumvent formal entry procedures.
Additionally, in early July, authorities arrested a group of ten illegal migrants near Mission, which notably included four individuals from Uzbekistan. This arrest emphasizes the global nature of illegal immigration, underscoring potential national security implications posed by individuals from far-flung nations entering illegally.
Under President Trump, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports historic successes in securing the southern border, reflected by an unprecedented drop in migrant apprehensions. In June, only 3,995 migrants were apprehended across Texas border sectors, down dramatically from 30,766 during the same period the previous year—an astonishing decline of over 87 percent.
These figures, detailed in the Southwest Land Border Encounters report, confirm the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s strict border security measures. Furthermore, June’s apprehension numbers declined further from May’s already impressive low of 5,491 migrants.
Despite these victories, Texas law enforcement recognizes that ongoing vigilance remains necessary. The steady arrest of illegal “got-away” migrants indicates potential vulnerabilities in areas of difficult terrain or less frequent patrol coverage.
Border apprehensions across all southwestern sectors combined totaled fewer than 4,600 migrants in July—another historic low under Trump’s policies. Yet, as DPS troopers’ recent arrests show, continued enforcement efforts remain critical.
Texans strongly support these intensified security measures. Every arrest of dangerous migrants highlights the necessity of continued vigilance and confirms conservative principles of strong border security, protecting American communities from potential threats posed by illegal immigration.
Through relentless enforcement and effective border security policies, Texas—and America—continue winning the fight against illegal immigration, sending a clear message: lawlessness will not be tolerated.
