Previously, CHICK-NEWS reported on the negative effects resulting from the action conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety that resulted in considerable congestion in transiting border points of entry from Mexico into Texas.  According to a report in the Texas Tribune, the program failed to find drugs, weapons, illegal immigrants or contraband.

From April 8th to April 16th, state troopers inspected 4,100 semis but did identify defects in vehicles including underinflated tires, defective turn signals and oil leaks that resulted in 345 citations for violations.

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety attributes the failure to apprehend contraband or illegal immigrants to the diligence of the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) personnel performing their normal duties.  The U.S. CBP can process vehicles with a usual wait time of 20 minutes.  The action ordered by Governor Greg Abbott resulted in delays exceeding 24 hours at seven commercial bridges linking Texas with the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas.  The action that resulted in considerable loss of produce and other disruptions for U.S. industries did result in agreements between four state governors and the State of Texas to increase security.

It is noted that trade between Mexico and the U.S. exceeded $56 billion in February with the seven international entry points responsible for 65 percent of total freight between the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. egg production industry is dependent on road transport for exports to Mexico and is impacted by border delays and closures.

The action by Governor Abbott considered as “political theatre” did not achieve any practical benefit to security but incurred a high cost to the state of Texas and U.S. truckers, importers, distributors and manufacturers.