Texas highways are changing. If you've been driving through the Lone Star State lately, you might have noticed more black-and-white units parked along I-35 or lurking near the brush in Maverick County. It isn't just about speeding tickets anymore. In a massive shift for 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assists federal immigration enforcement in ways that were once legally unthinkable.
The line between a state trooper and a federal agent has basically vanished.
Honestly, it’s a lot to wrap your head around. For decades, the rule was simple: feds handle the border, and state cops handle the roads. That’s over. Under new mandates and specific federal partnerships, a traffic stop for a broken taillight in Austin or San Antonio can now turn into a full-blown immigration interrogation.
The 287(g) Sea Change
You might have heard the term "287(g)" tossed around in news clips. It sounds like boring legal jargon, but it’s the engine behind this entire operation. Basically, it’s a provision in federal law that allows the Department of Homeland Security to "deputize" local and state officers.
Until recently, this was mostly for jailers. They’d check the status of people already arrested for other crimes. But in late 2025 and heading into 2026, Texas DPS signed a "task force" model agreement. This is the expansive version. It means nearly 5,000 commissioned DPS officers now have the authority to interrogate anyone they suspect is in the country illegally. They can even make arrests without a warrant if they think someone is likely to flee.
It’s a massive force multiplier for the federal government.
Operation Lone Star 2.0
Governor Greg Abbott’s "Operation Lone Star" has been running since 2021, but the 2026 version looks different. It’s more integrated. Earlier this month, DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez pointed out that having "support at the federal level" has changed the game. Before, the state was often at odds with Washington. Now? They’re working hand-in-glove.
Take the recent activity in Webb County. On a Sunday just a few days ago, troopers chased a Ram 1500 down IH-35. They caught the smugglers, but instead of just handling the state "evading arrest" charges, they immediately referred the four migrants in the truck to Border Patrol. This happens hundreds of times a week now.
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What the numbers say
The scale is kind of staggering. Since the start of these combined efforts, there have been over 530,000 apprehensions. Texas has poured more than $11 billion into this. That money pays for:
- 500 miles of new buoys in the Rio Grande.
- High-tech "Tangles" phone-tracking software (DPS spent over $5 million on this).
- Horse-mounted units patrolling rocky desert terrain in Maverick County.
The Reality of Traffic Stops
Let's talk about what happens on the road. This is where most people will actually see the "Texas DPS assists federal immigration enforcement" reality.
If a trooper pulls you over, they are now looking for "indicators" of smuggling or illegal presence. Maybe it’s a van with tinted windows riding low on its axles. Maybe it’s a group wearing construction vests trying to blend in near a work zone—like a case in Webb County where a driver was caught getting paid $2,000 to move five people to San Antonio.
Because of the new 287(g) status, the officer doesn't have to wait for an ICE agent to show up. They are the enforcement arm. Critics, like the ACLU and the Texas Civil Rights Project, are worried this leads to racial profiling. They argue that if you look a certain way, you're more likely to be questioned about your papers during a routine stop.
New Laws and "Invasion" Rhetoric
There’s also Senate Bill 8. This law, which kicked in on January 1, 2026, forces most county sheriffs to enter these same ICE agreements. If they don't? The Texas Attorney General can sue them.
The state is essentially building its own "Border Protection Unit." The goal is to have state-level power that mirrors federal authority. Some of the newer bills even suggest that DPS could send people back across the border directly, though that's still tied up in some messy legal fights in the Fifth Circuit.
What This Means for You
If you live in or travel through Texas, the presence of law enforcement is higher than it’s ever been. The "invaded" rhetoric used by state officials has turned the entire state into a "border zone" in the eyes of the law.
Here is the bottom line: The partnership is no longer just "assistance." It is a unified front.
Actionable Facts to Remember:
- Authority is Statewide: DPS has jurisdiction everywhere in Texas. These immigration checks aren't restricted to the border; they can happen in Dallas, Houston, or the Panhandle.
- Financial Incentives: Local precincts can receive up to $300,000 in federal incentives for participating in these enforcement programs.
- Documentation: Under current Texas policy, if you are stopped and officers have "probable cause" to suspect an immigration violation, they are now trained to process that on the spot.
- Mixed Authorities: Troopers can "mix and match" state traffic laws with federal immigration laws to justify a stop and subsequent detention.
The legal landscape is shifting fast. Staying informed on which counties have signed 287(g) agreements—which now includes most major Texas hubs—is the only way to understand the risks of the road in 2026.