Operation Lone Star Spurs Surge in Probation Violations and Court Caseloads Across South Texas
As Operation Lone Star intensifies enforcement along the Texas border, county courts and jails report a dramatic surge in probation violations and criminal cases, prompting urgent calls for continued state support.
The Border Prosecution Unit (BPU), working alongside sheriffs across South Texas, has issued a warning about the growing strain on local court systems due to ongoing impacts from Operation Lone Star (OLS). According to BPU Chairperson Tonya Ahlschwede, a multi-year rise in probation-related violations is placing intense pressure on county jails and court dockets.
“Thousands of OLS-related cases are resulting in probation violations that will clog jails and delay court hearings for months,” the memo states. “Many defendants are from out of state, complicating extradition and increasing costs to our counties.”
Probation Violations Surge as OLS Arrests Continue
Defendants who accepted plea agreements resulting in community supervision now account for a growing number of probation violations. These cases often require a motion and warrant for the defendant’s return to the originating court, and the process is costly and slow. In many cases, violators are not entitled to bond and remain in custody until their violations are resolved.
As of mid-2025, jail space and court capacity are being consumed by repeat OLS-related cases, many of which require hearings to determine whether probation has been violated. These issues come amid broader reductions in unlawful border entries and new crimes, highlighting the long-term judicial impact of prior enforcement surges.
Arrest and Court Data Show Substantial Growth
From 2021 through 2025, the combined total arrests across participating counties reached 81,790, with 46,429 felony arrests and 35,361 misdemeanor arrests. Notably, 27,712 arrests were tied to smuggling of persons, a major focus of OLS operations.
Pending felony court cases jumped from 1,338 in 2021 to 4,385 in 2024, with 1,866 cases already reported in 2025. The number of pending defendants has also skyrocketed from 911 in 2021 to 2,455 in 2024.
Financial and Operational Impact
“Without continued support from the Office of the Governor and Texas Legislature, our counties will be unable to sustain these workloads,” the BPU warns. Costs to extradite, house, and process defendants are mounting quickly, threatening the ability of local systems to deliver justice and protect public safety.
The BPU and Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez, along with sheriffs from 14 counties—Brooks, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala—have convened to propose policy and funding solutions to address the surging caseloads.
Urging State Leaders for Support
The memo emphasizes the importance of proactive measures and comprehensive data collection to assess public safety risks and secure necessary legislative funding. “We want to proactively address the anticipated needs so that OLS remains successful,” it reads.
As Texas continues to prioritize border security, local leaders caution that the mission’s success depends equally on investments in judicial capacity and detention resources. The Border Prosecution Unit plans to share this data with lawmakers and agencies to secure long-term relief.
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