After thousands of migrants and illegal immigrants showed up at the southern border, Texas has deployed additional National Guard troops to the region to assist in putting a stop to the influx. These soldiers will join with those already stationed in El Paso, which has borne the brunt of the migrant crisis over the past year.

After the Biden administration announced that it would end the Title 42 policy, which makes it easier for federal authorities to turn migrants away, a swarm of people from Central and South America arrived seeking to gain entry into the United States. The Washington Times reported:

The Texas National Guard this week said it is using C-130J cargo aircraft to ship 200 soldiers and 40 Humvees to join the operation ordered by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. More than 400 troops have already been mobilized to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country.

“You cannot just cross anywhere you want. We’re focused on deterrence, on demonstrating that we can be where we need to be anywhere on this border,” said Maj. Gen. Win Burkett, director of operations for Operation Lone Star, the state mission to prevent illegal border crossings.

“We can surge in a very short amount of time,” said Gen. Burkett, who commands the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division.

National Guard troops used armored vehicles and concertina wire to secure the border and make sure illegals could not cross into the country at unauthorized entry points.

“All sectors along the border are increasing their response posture to protect Texas against the flood of immigrants and cartel activity streaming into our state,” Texas Guard officials explained.

Title 42 appeared to be in jeopardy after the White House indicated that it would let the program expire. However, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts placed a temporary freeze on the policy.

NBC News reported that soldiers “could be heard telling migrants to go to a port of entry,” but that under Title 42, “migrants can’t use the port of entry to apply for asylum.”

Some are criticizing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for the move, arguing bad optics.

“Unfortunately, it represents the arrival of Operation Lone Star to the border in El Paso,” said Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, during an interview with the El Paso Times. “El Paso is one of the most welcoming cities in Texas. This is an attack on what El Paso represents.”

Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso told the news outlet that the troops present a “really negative symbol of our relationship and a frightening one for a lot of people” and argued that the city is “not facing an invading army.”

Complaints notwithstanding, Abbott continues to be under pressure to handle the migrant crisis as the White House continues to pretend as if the disaster is not taking place. Unfortunately, he will have to continue making these moves as President Joe Biden, and his merry band of Democrats in Congress are still working hard to import as many of these individuals as possible.