South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem welcomes the return of Army National Guard troops from the Texas-Mexico Border on Saturday, Feb 10, 2024.Photo byOffice of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem

National Guard troops from North and South Dakota have returned home following their deployments to the Texas-Mexico border in support of the "Operation Lone Star" border security mission there.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem welcomed her state's troops home on Saturday, February 10, 2024, in ceremonies held in Rapid City:

The North Dakota troops were welcomed home in Bismarck on February 4, 2024:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's "Operation Lone Star" - now in its third year - has recently seen illegal crossings plunge along the Rio Grande - but Governor Abbott vows it will continue until the border is fully secured.

In recent days the Governors of Louisiana, Utah, and Indiana have announced they intend to deploy troops to Texas in support of "Operation Lone Star." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis - who was among the first Governors to participate in the mission by sending state law enforcement officers and troops to the Texas border recently announced the deployment of 1,000 more members of the Florida National Guard as well as volunteer members of its newly-reformed Florida State Guard to Texas.

Florida State Guard Members in training. The State Guard will send volunteer troops to Texas to help secure the border with Mexico.Photo bySgt. Marc Morgenstern / 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

“Our reinforcements will help Texas to add additional barriers, including razor wire along the border. We don’t have a country if we don’t have a border.” - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

"Operation Lone Star" is not without its critics. Some Democratic politicians have called upon President Biden to take control of Texas troops by "federalizing" them.

That threat recently prompted 24 Republican Members of Congress to send a sharply-worded letter to President Biden warning him against that.

"By deploying the National Guard, Governor Abbott has taken the necessary steps to defend this country and her people from foreign invaders. To that end, we urge you to reconsider any inclination toward federalizing the National Guard in Texas. Any attempt to usurp command of the Texas National Guard using the authorities under the Insurrection Act of 1807 would be unconstitutional; the federal government’s supremacy clause does not extend to preventing States from taking due measures to protect and defend themselves in the face of crisis." -Letter from 24 Members of Congress to President Biden (February 8, 2024)

What are your thoughts about Texas' "Operation Lone Star"?

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