Texas Governor Greg Abbott is urging Congress to reimburse the state for more than $11.1 billion spent on border security over the past four years. In a letter addressed to congressional leaders and the Texas delegation, Abbott criticized the Biden administration’s handling of border policies and emphasized Texas’s role in protecting the nation.
The governor stated that Texas taxpayers bore the cost of securing the border because of what he described as the Biden administration’s failure to enforce federal immigration laws. He pointed to the success of Operation Lone Star (OLS), a state-led initiative launched to combat illegal immigration, reduce criminal activity, and secure the border. According to Abbott, OLS efforts have reduced illegal immigration into Texas by 87% while showcasing the effectiveness of former President Donald Trump’s border policies.
Abbott specifically cited threats from violent criminals, known terrorists, and groups such as the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which he says have been emboldened by lax federal border enforcement. “President Biden’s policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott’s letter follows a recent meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, during which the governor discussed the ongoing border crisis and its impact on Texas. The governor emphasized that the state’s expenditures benefit the entire country by addressing threats that cross state lines.
Despite the federal government’s constitutional duty to secure the nation’s borders, Abbott argued that Texas has had to fill the gap left by what he called the Biden administration’s “reckless open-border policies.” As a result, he is demanding that Congress fully reimburse Texas for its border security expenses, including the billions spent on OLS operations.
Abbott concluded by reaffirming Texas’s commitment to national security, stating that the state’s efforts will continue to protect the nation, but that federal support is overdue.