Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Saturday that the Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers who were sent to the U.S.-Mexico border last month to aid authorities in efforts to counter immigration and drug trafficking are expected to return home Friday.
The 61 soldiers have been stationed there since Aug. 2 to provide “additional observation and reporting near the border” to assist Texas law enforcement involved in Operation Lone Star.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched the operation in March 2021, deploying resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to the border in an effort to secure the area.
Nebraska is one of 14 states that has recently sent troops and resources to support the operation. The other states are Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Texas.
New lesbian-owned lounge opening in Lincoln hopes to foster 'authentic' atmosphere
Nebraska principal placed on administrative leave
WWE star Hulk Hogan promoting beer’s introduction to Nebraska
No. 2 Nebraska volleyball wins 13th straight match; No. 1 Pittsburgh falls to SMU
Papillion dog, who loved pears and a select few, euthanized after tough life
Winter outlook not favorable to drought relief in Nebraska
Cover Five: Is the running back carousel sustainable? And, Nebraska not closing book on Merritt
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Lincoln couple dies in Grand Canyon accident
Rare, 'very, very bright' comet expected to make an appearance for Midlanders
Amie Just: How Nebraska volleyball beat Purdue on a night the Boilers had it rolling
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
After tumultuous upbringing in Nebraska, new state IT head hired to 'be a change agent'
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Large wildfire in northern Lancaster County prompts evacuations
This month's deployment marked the fourth time a Nebraska governor has sent state troopers to the border and the second time this year.
Pillen in May deployed 10 members of the Nebraska State Patrol to the border to assist with drone surveillance operations.
This summer's deployments could cost the state as much as $2.6 million, according to State Budget Director Lee Will.
Pillen defended the expense after visiting the border with Nebraska National Guard Adj. Gen. Craig Strong last week. The two met with troops and got a security briefing from Abbott.
“Based on what I saw today, the cost of the two recent deployments of National Guard troops and State Patrol troopers is worth the prevention of having illegal drugs and criminals pour through the southern border at ever-increasing numbers each day,” Pillen said during his trip.
Photos: Jim Pillen marks 100 days in governor's office
Former Illinois prison director, Rob Jeffreys (right), is introduced by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (left) as the new director of Nebraska Department of Correction Services at the Nebraska State Capitol on April 3.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Carolyn Bosn (center) and her husband, Reggie Bosn, look on as she is being appointed to replace state Sen. Suzanne Geist's District 25 seat by Gov. Jim Pillen on April 6 at the Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen and others pay tribute to fallen World War II service members during a ceremony Tuesday at Offutt Air Force Base.
STEVE LIEWER, Omaha WORLD-HERALD
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks with employees at Hexagon Agility in Lincoln on Monday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen raises his hands as he talks with fourth graders, including Spirit and Grace Academy student Burke Newell (right) on March 1 at the Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen smiles before naming the metal pig statue at the governor's office, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Christ Lincoln Schools fourth grader Hudson Parr (right) rides the metal pig statue named Petunia as Gov. Jim Pillen watches on March 1.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) gifts a cowboy hat to Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook during the "Volleyball Day in Nebraska" news conference Feb. 24 at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Feb. 6 about Gov. Jim Pillen's mentoring program for young Nebraskans.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Jan. 25 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open Senate seat, during an announcement on Jan. 12 at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, had been expected to go to Ricketts after his departure from the governorship last year.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen (from left) tweeted a photo of himself with former Govs. Pete Ricketts, Kay Orr, Dave Heineman, Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson.
Courtesy photo
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at his inaugural ball in Omaha on Jan. 7.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Sen. Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A camera flash illuminates newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the Capitol Rotunda to be sworn in on Jan. 5.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (right) points out to a crowd in the upper level of the legislative chamber after taking his oath of office on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Jim Pillen poses with supporters during his election night party on Tuesday at Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Jim Pillen speaks to supporters after declaring victory in the gubernatorial election Nov. 8.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com . On Twitter @ajohnson6170
Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.