Texas Governor Greg Abbott is advocating for Congress to provide reimbursement exceeding $11 billion to cover expenses incurred by the state in enhancing border security measures during the current administration led by President Biden. The substantial financial commitment was primarily driven by Abbott’s comprehensive Operation Lone Star initiatives, which were launched in 2021 and involved a strategic collaboration among various state agencies, most notably the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Military Department. This collaborative effort included the deployment of state troopers, National Guard personnel, and other essential resources to fortify border security and address the escalating challenges posed by undocumented immigration.
In a proactive move to seek reimbursement, Governor Abbott has dispatched letters to key congressional leaders and members of the Texas Congressional delegation, underscoring the urgency and importance of recouping the significant expenditures made by the state towards border protection. This plea for financial restitution comes in the wake of Governor Abbott’s recent meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, where discussions centered around the pressing border security issues facing Texas.
Under the ambit of Operation Lone Star, the dedicated efforts of state law enforcement agencies have resulted in the apprehension of over half a million undocumented immigrants, thwarted more than 140,000 attempted illegal entries, facilitated the arrest of over 50,000 individuals, and seized a staggering half a billion doses of fentanyl. Governor Abbott attributes the necessity of these rigorous security measures to the failure of the federal government, particularly during the previous administration, to enforce immigration laws effectively and pursue policies that inadvertently fostered rampant illegal immigration.
The strained relationship between the Biden administration and the state of Texas has culminated in multiple legal disputes over matters pertaining to border security, barriers, and immigration policies. Operation Lone Star was conceived as a crucial response to combat the surging influx of large migrant caravans, pervasive human trafficking activities, illicit stash house operations, property damages, and other threats that posed severe challenges to the well-being of Texans residing along the border region.
Noteworthy support for Governor Abbott’s reimbursement initiative has been extended by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who emphasizes the imperative of acknowledging the substantial financial contributions made by Texas taxpayers to sustain Operation Lone Star over the past four years. Senator Cornyn has pledged to champion the inclusion of necessary funds in the upcoming congressional reconciliation legislation to compensate Texas for its unwavering efforts in securing the border, especially in light of the federal government’s perceived negligence under the current administration.
Governor Abbott highlighted in his correspondence that prior to the onset of the Biden presidency, Texas had allocated approximately $800 million biennially towards bolstering federal border security measures. The evolving dynamics of the border security landscape have prompted Governor Abbott to call for congressional support to offset the financial strains placed on the state’s resources due to the heightened demands exacerbated by the lax enforcement of immigration laws and the ensuing surge in unlawful border crossings.
