Tilden, TX—Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $200,000 in federal funds to support border security in McMullen County. The money will be used by the McMullen County Sheriff’s Office to pay for overtime hours and new equipment—resources that are necessary for the security of the community. 

 “Every year, the resources provided by Operation Stonegarden assist our local law enforcement in their efforts to protect our border communities. By providing new, updated equipment and more manpower, these funds allow our local law enforcement to carry out the necessary operations to enhance security along our southern border—helping us fight the war on drugs and human trafficking,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Since 2018, I have secured over $900,000 in Operation Stonegarden funds for McMullen County and delivered over $142 million in total Stonegarden funding for the 28^th Congressional District of Texas since 2008. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I will continue to provide the necessary funding our local law enforcement agencies require to keep our South Texas communities safe and secure.”

Congressman Cuellar Continued. “I want to thank McMullen County Sheriff Emmett Shelton, as well as the local, state, and federal officers for their commitment to helping secure our southern border.” 

“Operation Stone Garden has provided the McMullen County Sheriff's Office the opportunity to acquire and deploy border security technologies and resources we would not have otherwise had. And with the current invasion or flood of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border the Operation Stone Garden funds have been a critical component to the McMullen County Sheriff's Office Border Security Enforcement efforts,” said McMullen County Sheriff Emmett Shelton.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG) provides funding to law enforcement agencies with the objective of enhancing border security. Up to $90,000,000 is available in total OPSG funding for FY2022, including $39,875,000 for the state of Texas. OPSG funds are allocated based on the risk to the security of the border.

 Since 2018, McMullen County has received $911,000 in Operation Stonegarden funding. This funding has allowed the county to cover extraordinary expenses incurred to reinforce border security.

 For more information on the Operation Stonegarden Grant Program, click here