US to Repay Texas Billions for Border Security Operations
Through Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"
Texas stands to receive more than $11 billion from the federal government for border security operations it undertook mostly during the Biden Administration, and that continues today. Governor Greg Abbott declared the funds, authorized through President Trump's signature, "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," to be a "big win for Texas."
The federal funding will repay Texas for the more than $11.1 billion it has spent on "Operation Lone Star" since Governor Abbott established it in March 2021.
“Former President Biden’s reckless open border policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented surge of illegal immigration, requiring Texas to hold the line. 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 ... President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill ... to ensure Texas is fully reimbursed for doing the federal government’s job to secure the border.” Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Governor Abbott outlined the program's success and the huge burden borne by Texas taxpayers to fund it in a January 23, 2025, letter to Congress:
"Under (Operation Lone Star), Texas law enforcement has apprehended over half a million illegal immigrants; repelled over 140,000 attempted illegal entries; made over 50,000 criminal arrests; seized over half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl—more than enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada combined; built over 240 miles of border barriers; and constructed the only National Guard base along Texas’ southern border. Over the past four years, (our) efforts successfully reduced illegal immigration into Texas by 87 percent.
This success came at a cost, which fell squarely on the shoulders of Texas taxpayers but should have been the federal government’s responsibility. The construction of over 100 miles of border wall and the deployment of buoys cost almost $3 billion. Installation and fortification of 200 miles of concertina wire and border fencing amounted to $58 million. The deployment of over 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and surging Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to the border region came at a price tag of almost $6 billion. In total, Texas has spent over $11 billion to protect the nation and secure the border." -Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Texas stands to be repaid by the Trump Administration for busing more than 100,000 migrants from its state to "sanctuary cities" governed by Democratsbusing more than 100,000 migrants from its state to "sanctuary cities" governed by Democrats, consisting of:
Over 39,600 migrants to New York City
Over 32,500 migrants to Chicago
Over 16,900 migrants to Denver
Over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C.
Over 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia
Over 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles
Texas was busing migrants out of the state at a time when migrants were illegally crossing the Rio Grande by the thousands and were overwhelming cities and shelters along its borders with Mexico.
In at least one instance, a migrant mob overwhelmed Texas National Guard troops assigned to "Operation Lone Star" as they attempted to hold the line along the border.
The situation along the Texas-Mexico border has changed dramatically since President Trump took office on January 20, 2025. In June, US Customs & Border Protection reported the lowest numbers of illegal aliens encountered along the border in history.
Do you support US taxpayers repaying the $11.1 billion Texas spent on securing its borders with Mexico?
Share your thoughts in the comments to this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Happy 4th today!! Seems fair to repay Texas!! Thank you for this great article!
Happy 4th Jack. Good on Texas and the BBB passage.