(BRYAN, TEXAS) State Representative John Raney (R-Bryan) applauds Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus for their directive to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to immediately begin law enforcement surge operations on the Texas-Mexico border to combat the flood of illegal immigration into the state.

“I am proud that state leadership is taking the necessary steps to make sure the crisis along our border is handled quickly and effectively,” said Representative Raney. “This situation has gone on for far too long and it is time that action is taken.”

In a joint letter to DPS Director Steve McCraw, state leaders authorized DPS to conduct law enforcement surge operations using any funds appropriated to the agency. DPS surge operations will continue at least through the end of the calendar year.

“Texas can’t afford to wait for Washington to act on this crisis and we will not sit idly by while the safety and security of our citizens are threatened,” Governor Perry said. “Until the federal government recognizes the danger it’s putting our citizens in by its inaction to secure the border, Texas law enforcement must do everything they can to keep our citizens and communities safe.”

Over the last six years, the Legislature has aggressively supported law enforcement’s efforts to provide safety and security along the Texas-Mexico border. As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Representative Raney supported the 2014-15 budget, which provided a $122 million (55 percent) increase for border security over the previous biennium. These funds go to support law enforcement surge operations in the border region, such as Operation Strong Safety in 2013, which has proven effective in reducing criminal activity and violence associated with human smuggling and drug trafficking in the border region.