AUSTIN--DPS raised the threat level in Texas to elevated, citing potential danger from radical Islamic terror groups and Mexican cartels.

Law enforcement and security agencies said terrorism and security along the Texas-Mexico border is linked to countries like Syria and Iraq. The heightened threat level is expected to continue during the next year, due to the high number of recent terrorism-related arrests and the prevalence of ISIS' online recruitment and incitement.

Another threat is Mexican cartels. DPS says all eight major Mexican cartels operate in Texas. According to the report, the cartels have enlisted transnational and statewide gangs to support their drug and human smuggling and human trafficking operations on both sides of the border.

"Protecting Texans from the full scope of public safety and homeland security threats is the foremost goal of DPS, and the department works with our fellow law enforcement partners at all levels of government to prepare for the unthinkable," DPS Director Steven McGraw said in a statement.

McGraw said DPS will work with law enforcement partners to prevent, respond and recover from the threats.