According to reporting by The Center Square (Bethany Blankley), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved reimbursing Texas $7.5 billion for border security costs incurred during the Biden administration. Gov. Greg Abbott is quoted saying he spoke with “Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin,” who, Abbott said, confirmed DHS would send the funds.
“Texas held the line when Washington would not. Texas taxpayers spent billions to stop illegal crossings, catch criminals, and seize deadly drugs. This reimbursement is a victory for those taxpayers,” Abbott said, according to The Center Square, adding thanks to the president and to Mullin.
What unlocked the money
The Center Square reports the reimbursement comes from a State Border Security Reinforcement Fund created in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a provision U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, secured. Abbott’s office submitted Texas’ application to DHS in June, according to the outlet.
Texas’ next ask
Abbott also said Texas is applying to the U.S. Department of Justice for reimbursement of a portion of an additional $3 billion the state spent on border security. He argued this would “fully reimburse Texas for costs incurred due to the Biden Administration’s refusal to enforce federal immigration law,” The Center Square reported.
What Texas has spent and done
During the Biden administration, the Texas Legislature allocated more than $11.6 billion to border security efforts, the most in the state’s history, The Center Square reported. Abbott launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) in March 2021.
From March 2021 through February 2026, OLS officers apprehended 538,141 people who crossed the border illegally (including referrals to Border Patrol) and deterred 157,112 entries, according to OLS data cited by The Center Square. The outlet reports OLS deployments have included Texas National Guard soldiers, Department of Public Safety troopers, and participating sheriff’s offices, with efforts ranging from construction of barriers and use of marine and aerial assets to targeted interdictions and specialized units.
Local voices on ongoing costs
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe told The Center Square, “Just because the bodies quit coming, we still have this massive cleanup to do. We still need funding for jail facilities and transportation.”
Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith told the outlet that prosecutions are critical to deterrence: “Many people overlook the fact that successful prosecutions are more important than arrest numbers in achieving justice and creating a deterrence for those who commit crimes.”
