Texas National Guard Deploys Drones to Combat Illegal Border Crossings

Texas is leveraging Drone Technology as part of its ongoing efforts to secure the southern border and curb illegal immigration. According to a recent update from the Office of the Texas Governor, the Texas National Guard is using drones equipped with thermal imaging and GPS capabilities to assist law enforcement in detecting and apprehending individuals attempting to cross the border illegally.

Drones Provide Critical Support to Border Operations

Staff Sergeant Daniel Moya-Rivera, stationed in El Paso, highlighted the key role drones play in border security operations:

“At night there are thermal night vision features, modes to [the drone], that can help us identify if it sees anything moving,” explained SSgt. Moya-Rivera. “If we were to see people cutting the [concertina] wire out here, we would grab a radio, and we would notify the ground forces. We provide latitude and longitude coordinates so they can pinpoint the exact location as well.”

The drones allow Texas National Guard personnel to monitor large areas efficiently and direct ground forces to precise locations where illegal crossings are detected. This technology has proven especially useful for nighttime surveillance.

Drones Part of Larger Border Security Initiative

The deployment of drones is one component of Operation Lone Star, a multi-agency border security effort launched by Governor Greg Abbott. Since its inception, the operation claims to have led to over 518,300 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 46,000 criminal arrests.

In addition to drone surveillance, Texas is employing other tactics like installing razor wire barriers along sections of the border. Governor Abbott shared photos on social media showing Texas National Guard engineers reinforcing these barriers in Eagle Pass.

DroneXL’s Take

The use of drones for border surveillance demonstrates the growing role of unmanned aerial systems in law enforcement and security applications. As we’ve previously reported, Police departments across the country are increasingly adopting drone technology to enhance their capabilities in areas like Search and Rescue, accident reconstruction, and tactical operations.

While the use of drones for border security remains controversial, it highlights the potential for this technology to significantly augment human-led operations in challenging environments. As drone capabilities continue to advance, we can expect to see expanded use cases in both government and civilian sectors.

What are your thoughts on the use of drones for border security? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Texas National Guard / Greg Abbott