DPS: State troopers assist with immigration enforcement operations in Kingsland; no arrests reported
This is one of several Texas Department of Public Safety patrol vehicles that were seen stationed along RR 1431 in Kingsland on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 14. DPS was reportedly participating in immigration enforcement operations at the time. Staff photo By Dakota Morrissiey
Texas Department of Public Safety officers, as part of a DPS regional tactical strike team, participated in an immigration enforcement operation in Kingsland on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 14. The exact nature of the operation was not shared by DPS, but the agency reported that “no arrests were made” in the event.
Several DPS state trooper vehicles were seen patrolling and stationed along RR 1431 in Kingsland between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“We can confirm Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers – part of regional tactical strike teams – were in (Kingsland) around (Wednesday morning),” reads an emailed statement from DPS Press Secretary Sheridan Nolan to DailyTrib in a response to questions. “No arrests were made.”
Llano County Sheriff’s Office officials told DailyTrib that the Llano County Jail did not take in any inmates from DPS or ICE following Wednesday’s events.
Sheridan also included background on the state’s “regional tactical strike teams.” The teams consist of state troopers, special agents, and Texas Rangers. They are also supported by DPS’ homeland security and aircraft operations divisions.
The teams were created at the direction of Gov. Gregg Abbott in January 2025 with the intent of assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, with arresting people who have entered the United States illegally and then gone on to commit further crimes.
DailyTrib reached out to ICE for comment, but received no response by the time of this article’s publication.
The LCSO confirmed with DailyTrib that their agency did make two arrests on Wednesday, but they were for two active felony warrants that were unrelated to immigration offenses and not affiliated with DPS or ICE operation in the area.
According to Sheriff Marquis Cantu, those warrants were for U.S. citizens Hope Eskew, who was arrested on a charge of abusing the elderly or disabled, and Beau Mraz, who was wanted on a warrant out of Hood County.
Cantu also said that LCSO deputies were working in Kingsland on Wednesday, but not actively participating in the DPS/ICE operation.
“We were both working separately (on Wednesday),” he said. “We work in the county together, and had they asked for back up, we would have responded, and if we asked for back up, they would respond. We have a good relationship.”
4 thoughts on “DPS: State troopers assist with immigration enforcement operations in Kingsland; no arrests reported ”
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Good, laws are supposed to be enforced. This is exactly what we voted for.
This is shameful!
The only thing shameful is thinking that enforcing the law is shameful.
Many people were arrested.
Why are they saying “NO ARRESTS”?
Where were they taken?