South Central PA News

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano and a majority of his colleagues on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today approved a measure he introduced calling on the governor to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard along Texas’s southern border with Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star.

"Pennsylvanians have an interest in protecting our nation’s southern border and preventing an influx of immigrants and illegal drugs from reaching our communities," said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the committee. "Some of the fentanyl that is killing our kids is arriving from Mexico."

The committee approved Mastriano’s Senate Resolution 251, which calls on Gov. Josh Shapiro to offer the services of the Pennsylvania National Guard to the state of Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star in March 2021 in response to the unprecedented rise in illegal immigration. Operation Lone Star personnel work to detect and repel illegal crossings, arrest human smugglers and cartel gang members, and stop the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl.

In May 2023, Abbott sent letters to governors requesting support for Operation Lone Star. So far, 14 states have responded and deployed personnel and resources to secure the border. According to a 2023 report, at least 251,000 illegal immigrants reside in Pennsylvania with an annual burden of more than $1.6 billion on taxpayers.

Illegal immigration costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than this year’s state budget allocated for various departments combined. Mastriano’s resolution and two bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.

"These bills would ensure fire and EMS companies continue to have access to important financial resources while also streamlining the firefighter certification process," Mastriano said. "The end result will be safer communities for Pennsylvania families."

Constituents of the 33rd Senatorial District can learn more about Mastriano by visiting his website at SenatorMastriano.com or following him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.

Media contact: Josh Herman 717-787-4651