Federal agents and Texas state troopers moved in on Colony Ridge, a major migrant settlement that sprang up in recent years and has become a magnet for new arrivals — and sparked reports of rampant crime.

“Colony Ridge is being targeted today,” Gov. Greg Abbott announced on social media, revealing the state troopers and agents from Homeland Security Investigators were there looking for “criminal & illegal immigrants.”

The development, which has tens of thousands of home sites, sits in Liberty County, northeast of Houston.

Local reporters who rushed to the site after the governor’s announcement said they saw state troopers but no presence of federal authorities. They also reported that local officials were largely unaware of the operation.

“Would’ve been nice if the government let us know,” Jay Knight, the county judge — the top executive post — told Houston Landing. “I wasn’t informed about anything. It’s news to me.”

Colony Ridge became a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with critics saying it is a haven for illegal immigrants and crime. Its defenders say it attracts legal residents too, and they point to the comments of the county sheriff who, while acknowledging some crime, has rejected reports that it is out of control.

The governor said he had been coordinating with White House border czar Tom Homan on the action “for months.”

In Texas, the development sparks fierce passion, and Mr. Abbott’s announcement was met with some approval, but others who wondered why it took so long.

“Why would you announce this?” asked one poster on X. “Just let them do their thing, then post after the fact. C’mon Gov you ain’t new to the game.”

Mr. Abbott responded to that criticism.

“The operation began hours before my post. Long before my post anyone in the area would’ve known about the operation,” he wrote.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.