Texas Military Department sends more soldiers to the border

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Texas Military Department announced the arrival of more personnel and equipment to the southern border in response to the latest migrant surge.

In a statement the department sent out Thursday, officials explained that "the Texas C-130J cargo aircraft will expedite movements to ensure rapid support as Operation Lone Star increases the response posture at all affected areas to protect Texas against the flood of illegal immigrants and cartel activity impacting our state."

State officials confirmed to ABC-7 that soldiers and equipment arrived in El Paso Thursday morning at the Atlantic aviation part of the El Paso International Airport.

The recent migrant surge has caused the cities of El Paso and Juarez take new measures, such as El Paso buying old schools to house migrants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also announced new protocols to increase border enforcement, such as deploying more military personnel, expediting family removals nationwide, and improving the processing of work authorizations for work-eligible individuals.