EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – El Paso County requests millions from the State of Texas to fund the detention of individuals arrested under Operation Lone Star.
On Monday, the County Commissioners Court unanimously approved submitting a grant application to Governor Greg Abbott’s office. The funds will cover detainee processing, housing, judicial processing, and medical expenses. Additionally, a separate application will be sent to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for legal aid for these detainees.
The Commissioners also authorized County Judge Ricardo
Samaniego to request that individuals detained by the Texas Department of Public Safety be transferred to a state jail instead of the El Paso County Jail.
Samaniego explained, “To proceed, we must submit an emergency declaration. We’ve been cautious because we want to limit the impact, not increase DPS presence, but rather address the significant strain this situation has placed on our community and county.”
Since March 2021, Texas has increased the number of DPS agents and deployed the Texas Army National Guard to the Rio Grande through Operation Lone Star. This mission aims to deter migrants and arrest smugglers.
In El Paso, this has led to housing hundreds more detainees than usual and losing federal revenue from the U.S. Marshals Service. The federal government reimburses the county $101 per day for jail bed space and covers legal and medical costs for detainees. In contrast, holding detainees on state charges costs the county $85 to $87 per day, with no reimbursement.
Samaniego stated, “We’ve lost around $10 million in federal funding. Previously, federal charges like smuggling and human trafficking were covered, but due to the governor’s declaration, these are now state charges. This means the county must cover health and mental health costs out of its budget.”
He added that the grant request includes $3 million
Costs already incurred this fiscal year and an additional $5 million.
County Administrator Betsy Keller informed the commissioners that the County Jail has sometimes housed up to 400 Operation Lone Star detainees, with a daily average of 300. Many smugglers are apprehended on El Paso streets, sometimes following chases. In March and April, hundreds of foreign nationals were detained at the El Paso County Jail after reportedly rioting at the Rio Grande, where the Texas Army National Guard has set up razor wire and remains on high alert.
Keller noted that the county sent a letter to the Governor’s Office last April detailing the situation and proposing potential solutions but received no response.
Samaniego suggested that accepting OLS detainees at state facilities could alleviate the problem.
“By moving 300 smuggling cases to a state facility, we would free up beds for federal detainees and increase our revenue,” he said. “If the situation continues, we risk losing nearly $18 million by year-end without immediate federal funding.”
Frequently Asked Question
What is Operation Lone Star?
Operation Lone Star is a Texas initiative that deploys DPS agents and the Texas Army National Guard to border communities to deter migrants and apprehend smugglers.
Why is El Paso County requesting funding from the state?
El Paso County is seeking state funding to cover the costs of detaining individuals arrested under Operation Lone Star, including housing, processing, and medical expenses, which have significantly impacted their budget.
How many detainees is the El Paso County Jail currently holding?
The County Jail has sometimes housed up to 400 detainees, with a sustained average of around 300 OLS detainees daily.
What is the financial impact of holding detainees on state charges compared to federal charges?
Holding detainees on state charges costs the county $85 to $87 per day without reimbursement, whereas federal charges previously covered $101 per day plus legal and medical costs.
What was the response from the Governor’s Office to the county’s letter in April?
The county sent a letter to the Governor’s Office in April outlining the situation and potential solutions but did not receive a reply.
What could be the financial consequences if federal revenue is not secured?
Without prompt federal revenue, the county risks losing nearly $18 million by the end of the year due to increased costs and lost federal funding.
How could accepting OLS detainees at state facilities benefit the county?
Transferring OLS detainees to state facilities could free up beds for federal detainees, thereby increasing the county’s revenue and alleviating financial strain.
Conclusion
El Paso County faces a significant financial challenge due to the increased detention costs associated with Operation Lone Star. The county’s request for state funding is crucial to cover the expenses of housing and processing detainees, which have strained their budget. The lack of federal reimbursement for state charges exacerbates the issue, potentially leading to a loss of up to $18 million by the end of the year if the situation remains unchanged. The county hopes that transferring detainees to state facilities could alleviate this burden and restore financial stability by increasing federal revenue.
