A Texas National Guardsman was arrested for allegedly smuggling an illegal immigrant across the southern border. The man, Savion Johnson, was arrested in Brackettville, Texas on charges of evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and unlawful carry of a weapon. The arrest was captured on dashcam footage obtained by Fox News, showing Johnson being dragged out of the vehicle by Texas DPS law enforcement. The migrant being smuggled had bailed from the car prior to the arrest. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office condemned Johnson’s actions, calling him a “traitor and criminal” if the charges are true, and vowing zero tolerance for such violations of the law, as illegal smuggling could result in a mandatory minimum prison sentence of at least 10 years.
Sheriff Brad Coe confirmed that Johnson is a Texas National Guard soldier and was smuggling the migrant in a government vehicle. The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The emergence of the footage showing Johnson’s arrest coincided with Texas’ legal battle against the Department of Justice over its anti-illegal immigration law. The law, signed in December, allows local police to arrest illegal immigrants but has been blocked after a lawsuit from the Biden administration. Texas argued the necessity of the law due to the increasing numbers of migrants crossing the border, with Solicitor General Aaron Nielson highlighting the drastic rise in migrant numbers and the need for enforcement to secure the border.
Governor Abbott has ramped up resources and law enforcement on the southern border as part of Operation Lone Star, in response to what the state perceives as a lack of federal leadership on border security. The Texas law enforcement efforts, including building razor wire and putting buoys in the Rio Grande, have faced opposition from the Biden administration, which claims they hinder federal enforcement of immigration laws. The heated legal battle between Texas and the Department of Justice unfolded in oral arguments before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, where the state defended the necessity of its law to address the surging influx of migrants from various countries. The Supreme Court briefly allowed the Texas law to proceed, only for it to be blocked shortly after following appeals court arguments on the case’s merits.
The allegations against Johnson and his arrest highlight the complexities and challenges faced in addressing illegal immigration along the southern border. Governor Abbott’s strong stance on border security, through Operation Lone Star and the contentious anti-illegal immigration law, underscores the ongoing tensions between Texas and the federal government on immigration policy and enforcement. The arrest of a Texas National Guardsman for smuggling an illegal immigrant not only sheds light on the issue of human trafficking but also raises concerns about individuals tasked with border security engaging in criminal activities. The legal battle over the Texas anti-illegal immigration law reflects the broader debate on immigration policy and enforcement, with both sides presenting conflicting views on the best approach to address the influx of migrants and secure the border.
