Texas stands to receive $12 billion in federal funds for border security efforts during the Biden Administration, earmarked by the House version of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which is now in the hands of the US Senate.
The federal funds would repay Texas taxpayers for the "Operation Lone Star" border security mission Governor Greg Abbott began on March 6, 2021, during the height of a wave of mass illegal immigration across the Mexican border into the US.
"Operation Lone Star" led to a series of confrontations between Texas and the Biden Administration in the courts and on the ground along the Rio Grande Border.
In July 2023, over the objections of the Biden Administration, Texas began installing a floating barrier to prevent illegal crossings of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass:
That began a court battle with the federal government. The barrier remains in place to this day.
Shortly after that, came another conflict between the Biden Administration and Texas Governor Abbott over "Operation Lone Star:"
On September 2023, migrants poured into Eagle Pass, Texas, after Border Patrol Agents cut barbed wire barriers the state had installed on a Rio Grande Riverbank. The Biden Administration contended the migrants had already crossed into the US after passing the midpoint of the river, and the barriers Texas installed prevented Border Patrol Agents from "processing" them.
The Texas Governor doubled down, ordering his troops to not just replace the damaged wire, but to double it by the following day:
But perhaps the most controversial aspect of "Operation Lone Star" was the busing of migrants who crossed into Texas to "sanctuary cities" far from Texas, all with Democratic Mayors:
By October 2023, Texas had shipped 50,000 migrants to other states:
On June 14, 2024, Texas reported it had sent 119,200 migrants out of state, ensuring that the impact of the mass migration across the US Southern Border was felt in cities far from the border and making it one of the key issues in the 2024 Presidential election.
Donald Trump's victory immediately changed the federal government's relationship to "Operation Lone Star" from confrontation to cooperation.
Shortly after the election, incoming Trump "Border Czar" Tom Homan addressed Texas troops at a Thanksgiving meal on the border and told them "Operation Lone Star" was a model the federal government could use to secure the entire Southern Border with Mexico:
"There is unprecedented success in Texas. This is the model we can take across the country. Everyone here needs to understand that you are national heroes and are saving the nation. What you have done has not only protected Texas and the citizens of Texas, you are protecting this nation." -Incoming U.S. "Border Czar" Tom Homan
In addition to using "Operation Lone Star" as a model for Border Security operations outside of Texas, President Trump appointed Texas "Border Czar" Mike Banks to head the US Border Patrol during his administration.
Since then, the Border Patrol has sworn in hundreds of Texas troops to enforce federal immigration laws and often conducts joint enforcement actions alongside them.
As Texas's border security operation enters its fifth year, the costs to Texas taxpayers have added up to billions of dollars. Governor Abbott's efforts to lobby the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson for federal repayment now appear to be paying off.
"Under Operation Lone Star, Texas allocated more than $11 billion of Texas taxpayer money for border security, and earlier this year I requested Congress reimburse Texas for these costs in full.
I am grateful that the Texas Congressional Delegation pushed for its inclusion in the U.S. House's version of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, but there is more work yet to be done to get this legislation to the finish line.
I will continue working with the U.S. Senate, Texas Congressional Delegation, and President Trump to ensure Texas is fully reimbursed for doing the federal government’s job to secure the border.” - Texas Governor Greg Abbott
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Jack did you see this reply from @jason? I tried to go back to ask him to provide a resource for his comment, but he blocked me.
Love this Jack, long live Governor Abbott and the men and women of Border Patrol 🚓 🐎 🇺🇸 ❤️.