State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, right, poses for a photo with a Texas Highway Patrol and Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, following a ride along during the midnight shift as part of Operation Lone Star, Monday in Laredo, Texas. Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers deployed to Texas to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in direct response to the ongoing surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings at the border. (supplied photo)
Immigrants walk along a secured section of the border between Texas and Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star, Saturday in Eagle Pass, Texas. Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers deployed to Texas to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in direct response to the ongoing surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings at the border. (supplied photo)
An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper utilizes his flashlight to search for an individual from an illegal border crossing along the Rio Grande River during the early morning hours as part of Operation Lone Star, Monday, near Roma, Texas. Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers deployed to Texas to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in direct response to the ongoing surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings at the border. (supplied photo)
To get a grasp on the surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings happening at the Texas and Mexico border, State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, decided to visit the border during a deployment of Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers supporting Operation Lone Star.
In a press release, Ghanbari said it was an important visit for him as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.
“It was an eye-opening experience to really gauge the magnitude of the situation going on down there,” Ghanbari said. “It is vital that we prevent, deter and interdict Mexican Cartels and other smugglers at the border because doing so denies their ability to conduct illicit activities which further jeopardizes the safety our communities.”
An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper utilizes his flashlight to search for an individual from an illegal border crossing along the Rio Grande River during the early morning hours as part of Operation Lone Star, Monday, near Roma, Texas. Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers deployed to Texas to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in direct response to the ongoing surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings at the border. (supplied photo)
Ghanbari, who launched the “Ride Along and Learn Challenge” for law enforcement and first responder engagement in 2021, also spent two midnight shifts riding with the Ohio State Highway Patrol during their duties on the border alongside the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Ohio Troopers have been deployed and focusing on the greater Laredo region and Eagle Pass.
Immigrants walk along a secured section of the border between Texas and Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star, Saturday in Eagle Pass, Texas. Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers deployed to Texas to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in direct response to the ongoing surge of illegal drugs and illegal crossings at the border. (supplied photo)
“From my observations, these illegal crossings and criminal enterprises are of grave concern both from a humanitarian and safety standpoint,” Ghanbari said. “More resources and accessible jurisdiction for our law enforcement officers is needed to ensure we secure the border to deter bad actors and their illegal behavior from impacting our neighborhoods.”
Ghanbari observes the Biden administration has handcuffed the ability of Border Patrol agents, including those assigned to Northwest Ohio, from enforcing immigration laws by preventing the deportation of many of the illegal immigrants that have been detained. Instead Ghanbari said they are being released back into our neighborhoods causing strain to local law enforcement officials who have no jurisdiction to enforce federal immigration laws.
“I fully support the honorable women and men of law enforcement and remain grateful for the steadfast professionalism of our Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers,” Ghanbari said. “I am calling on the Biden Administration to fully enforce the immigration laws because continuing their current policy will only continue to endanger our communities.”
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