Abbott warns of ‘uptick’ in Texas border crossings as Operation Lone Star continues

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday there has been a "slight uptick" in activity along the southern border.

What we know:

Abbott revealed the flurry of border activity while showcasing an oversized check at the Governor’s Mansion. It represented a $7.5 billion reimbursement from the federal Department of Homeland Security for border security efforts undertaken by the state as part of Operation Lone Star.

When asked if the operation is over now that the state has been paid back for the work, Abbott said it will continue, citing new activity at the border. 

"There has been a slight uptick in those coming across the border," Abbott said. "There are some other challenges that we’re monitoring in the early stages of right now."

Abbott also pointed to reports of a migrant caravan "in the southern part of Mexico" that is being watched closely by state officials. The caravan numbers in the hundreds, according to a statement by DHS to FOX News.

"We’ve got to see where that caravan may be doing," Abbott said. "Bottom line, we have to be prepared for whatever may happen on the border."

Gov. Greg Abbott was asked what he wants to do with the reimbursement money. 

"I want to dedicate as much as possible to property tax relief. That said, we also need to understand what I was just talking about, and that our job of securing the border is not over. We must secure the border, not just for the next two years of the Trump administration, but we have got to do it forever," he said.

The other side:

Meanwhile, Abbott's Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, says she's committed to public safety. In a recent ad, she claims Abbott uses law enforcement as a prop while threatening their budgets behind the scenes.

In response to Abbott's event, Hinojosa released a statement that reads:

"Greg Abbott spent $11 billion in taxpayer money to grandstand, took half a decade to get it back, and Texans still don’t have their money," she said. "Billions of working Texans’ tax dollars used to pay for locking up immigrants, to pay for prosecuting them, and to pay for their defense — all for them to go back into our communities. Now, Abbott wants people to thank him for wasting their money and taking years to reimburse them. Abbott once bragged about suing the federal government every day, and now he capitulates to them. As governor, I’ll put in the work to secure the border, not waste working Texans’ money on political theater."

What they're saying:

Hector Garza, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, said that recently there were 68 people who attempted to cross the border near Laredo, but authorities were "able to push them back."

"At the same time, the Mexican government was able to apprehend 68 illegal aliens that were waiting to cross into the United States," Garza said.

President Donald Trump said during an event in Denton, Texas, on Thursday that zero illegal crossings have happened on the border in 17 months. 

More federal money expected, Abbott says

Dig deeper:

Abbott said that he will be working with the Legislature to determine how best to use the federal reimbursement, while also applying for more money. This time it will come from a $3 billion pool allocated to the Department of Justice.

"We have submitted an application for that already, and we will sit down in negotiations with them," Abbott said.

The governor said he hopes to also get about 75% of that money, similar to what Texas got from DHS.

Coast Guard vessel shot at, reports say

Dig deeper:

FOX 7 also asked Abbott about troops being sent to the border after reports of a Coast Guard vessel being shot at.

The Department of Homeland Security says:

"On Sept. 26, Coast Guard Forces Rio Grande personnel encountered gunfire from the Mexican border in the vicinity of Garceno, Texas while conducting joint interdiction operations with federal partners on the Rio Grande. Coast Guard personnel returned fire. No injuries to Coast Guard or other personnel were reported, and no damage to Coast Guard assets was reported.

The Coast Guard works closely with U.S. Border Patrol, the Department of War and the Texas Military Division to secure the border, disrupt illicit activity and protect the American people. We will continue to leverage a layered, integrated approach to control, secure, and defend the border that strengthens our collective ability to counter illicit activity and safeguard our personnel and the communities we serve.

Threats to Coast Guard members and our partners are taken extremely seriously. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation."

"There was an outbreak of activity along the border, and there has been an increase in either crossings or attempts to cross or activity by cartels along the border. Texas is stepping up to assist Border Patrol, to assist local communities, to make sure that we're not going to have, whether it be cartel activity or illegal immigrants, in any way threatening our state," Abbott said. 

FOX 7 asked if the shooting was cartel related.

"That's not something we can confirm, it is under investigation. But I think it's important to note what the governor said, that there has been an uptake in illegal activity," Garza said.

October is Law Enforcement Appreciation Month

What's next:

Abbott also used the press conference to designate October as Law Enforcement Appreciate Month, by signing a proclamation. He encouraged all Texans to thank officers for their dedication and work.

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