Why two border counties are joining Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star after migration slows

MCALLEN, Texas — Migrant encounters at the Texas-Mexico border have declined for months. After declining to do so for years, Starr County commissioners signed the disaster declaration to qualify for additional state money through Texas’ Operation Lone Star, according to Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. Applying for Operation Lone Star funds became a priority for Starr County following the termination of the Local Border Security Program that funded projects in support of Operation Border Star, a border initiative started under Gov. The elimination of the program for the 2026 fiscal year is also prompting neighboring Hidalgo County to seek money through Operation Lone Star for the first time this year, according to Hidalgo County Sheriff J. E. “Eddie” Guerra. Though Hidalgo County has not applied for Operation Lone Star funds before, cities in the county such as Mission and Donna have received money in the past.