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Eagle Pass Shooting Sparks Outrage, Legal Battles Over Operation Lone Star

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/0 .. rage-legal-battles-over-operation-lone-star.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, February 5th 2026 at 3:17 GMT by Houston Public Media
      Locales: UNITED STATES, AFGHANISTAN

Eagle Pass, Texas - February 5th, 2026 - The November 27th shooting of Muhammad Aziz, a 22-year-old unarmed Afghan immigrant, by a Texas National Guard soldier near Eagle Pass, Texas, continues to fuel outrage, legal battles, and a deepening examination of Operation Lone Star, Governor Greg Abbott's multi-billion dollar border security initiative. The incident, which occurred as Aziz allegedly attempted to retreat from a patrol, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising serious questions about the rules of engagement for troops deployed under the operation and the overall handling of border security.

Aziz's family, represented by attorney Namrata Sharma, asserts that their son was actively attempting to de-escalate the situation when he was fatally shot. "Muhammad was actively trying to avoid any confrontation," Sharma stated during a press conference held this week. "He was trying to turn around and go back. He was shot without warning." The family is demanding a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and seeking accountability for what they describe as a tragic and unjust loss of life.

The soldier identified as responsible for the shooting is Sergeant Edwin Rodriguez, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Rodriguez has not yet been formally charged, and the case remains under investigation by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Texas Rangers. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against both Rodriguez and the State of Texas, alleging negligence and unlawful use of force. The suit seeks significant damages for the family and aims to compel a thorough review of Operation Lone Star's policies and procedures.

Operation Lone Star: A History of Controversy

Launched in March 2021, Operation Lone Star was presented as a necessary measure to address the perceived crisis at the Texas-Mexico border. The initiative rapidly expanded, deploying thousands of National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety officers to increase border patrol efforts and deter illegal immigration. However, from its inception, the operation has been plagued by controversy. Critics point to its staggering cost - estimated to exceed $4 billion - and question its effectiveness in addressing the complex issues driving migration. Concerns have also been raised regarding its impact on border communities, straining local resources and disrupting established patterns of life.

The shooting of Aziz is not an isolated incident. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) filed a lawsuit in May 2024, alleging that Operation Lone Star had resulted in the unlawful arrests and detentions of migrants, with reports of due process violations and inadequate legal representation. The ACLU's lawsuit highlighted concerns over the legality of state-level enforcement of immigration laws, arguing that immigration is a federal responsibility. Furthermore, accusations of human rights violations, including the denial of medical care and inhumane detention conditions, have repeatedly surfaced.

Federal Policy and the Border Landscape

The situation at the border is further complicated by shifting federal policies. The recent reinstatement of the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy (officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols) by a federal judge has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates, who argue it puts asylum seekers at increased risk of violence and persecution. This policy change, combined with ongoing challenges in processing asylum claims, has created a bottleneck at the border, exacerbating already strained resources. The Biden administration finds itself under intense pressure from both sides of the political spectrum to address the situation, navigating between calls for increased enforcement and demands for a more humane and comprehensive immigration reform.

The Aziz family's plea for justice resonates with a wider movement calling for a more empathetic and effective approach to border security. "They deserve to know what happened, and why," Sharma emphasized. "They deserve justice for Muhammad." The family's pursuit of answers is likely to intersect with the broader legal and political debates surrounding Operation Lone Star and the future of border policy in Texas. The case could serve as a pivotal moment, potentially leading to significant reforms in how border security is implemented and overseen.

As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the shooting of Muhammad Aziz remains a stark reminder of the human cost of border policies and the urgent need for accountability and transparency.