Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested that the federal government reimburse the state for over $11.1 billion spent on border security during former President Joe Biden’s administration. In letters addressed to U.S. Congressional members, Abbott criticized the previous administration’s immigration policies, stating they “left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration of violent criminals, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign actors.”
Operation Lone Star: Texas’s Response to Federal Inaction
In response to what he perceived as federal inaction, Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021. This initiative deployed the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety to the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Abbott, the operation has led to:
- Apprehension of over 500,000 illegal immigrants.
- Prevention of more than 140,000 illegal entry attempts.
- Over 50,000 criminal arrests.
- Seizure of more than half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl.
- Construction of over 240 miles of border barriers.
- Establishment of the only National Guard base along the Texas-Mexico border.
Abbott emphasized that these efforts have reduced illegal immigration into Texas by 87% over the past four years, demonstrating the effectiveness of stringent border measures.
Financial Burden on Texas Taxpayers
The governor highlighted that prior to the Biden administration, Texas allocated approximately $800 million biennially to supplement federal border security efforts. However, the state’s expenditures have significantly increased due to the perceived federal neglect, resulting in a cumulative cost exceeding $11.1 billion. Abbott contends that this financial burden, borne by Texas taxpayers, should have been the federal government’s responsibility.
Call for Federal Reimbursement
Governor Abbott’s letters to Congress underscore the state’s position that the federal government’s failure to secure the border necessitated Texas’s unilateral actions. He asserts that the state’s initiatives have not only protected Texans but have also benefited the entire nation by mitigating threats associated with illegal immigration. Abbott is urging federal lawmakers to acknowledge this contribution and reimburse Texas for the substantial costs incurred.
This request aligns with previous efforts by House Republicans, who have introduced bills seeking federal reimbursement for Texas’s border security expenditures under Operation Lone Star. Despite these initiatives, legislation to secure such reimbursement has yet to be passed.
Governor Abbott’s appeal brings to the forefront ongoing debates regarding state versus federal responsibilities in border security and the financial implications of immigration policies.