Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested that the federal government reimburse the state for $11.1 billion spent on Operation Lone Star, Texas’ expansive border security initiative. In letters sent Thursday to Congressional leadership and the Texas Congressional Delegation, Abbott asserted that securing the nation’s borders is a federal responsibility—one that Texas had to assume due to what he described as inaction by the Biden Administration.
A Breakdown of Texas’ Border Security Costs
Governor Abbott detailed the financial burden Texas has shouldered, citing key expenditures such as:
- $4.75 billion – Border wall construction, security barriers, grants for local enforcement, criminal trespass processing, and migrant relocations
- $3.62 billion – Deployment of National Guard personnel
- $2.25 billion – Salaries and operational costs for Texas state troopers
- $311.2 million – Anti-gang intelligence efforts
- $77.3 million – Court costs for prosecuting border-related crimes
- $62.6 million – Salaries for game wardens
- $32.8 million – Health and safety services at criminal processing centers
- $19.2 million – Investigations into vehicle thefts along the Texas-Mexico border
- $13.7 million – Human trafficking interdiction by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
- $10 million – Brush removal to enhance law enforcement visibility
- $5.2 million – Attorney General prosecutions related to human trafficking
“The burden that our state has borne is a direct result of a refusal by the federal government to do its job,” Abbott wrote. “The work Texas has done through Operation Lone Star has protected, and will continue to benefit, the entire country.”
The Origins and Impact of Operation Lone Star
Launched in 2021, Operation Lone Star has mobilized over 10,000 National Guard troops and state law enforcement personnel to the Texas-Mexico border. According to the governor, the initiative has led to more than 50,000 criminal arrests and prevented over 140,000 illegal crossings into Texas. Abbott further claims that illegal immigration into Texas has decreased by 87% since the program’s inception.
The initiative has received praise from former President Donald Trump, who commended Abbott’s efforts shortly after his inauguration.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite Abbott’s assertions, immigration rights advocates and civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have raised concerns about the program’s effectiveness and impact. A 2024 ACLU report found that nearly 70% of arrests under Operation Lone Star were for misdemeanor offenses, such as trespassing. Additionally, the report indicated that many of those prosecuted were U.S. citizens, rather than undocumented immigrants.
Residents in border communities have also expressed frustration over the presence of law enforcement and military personnel. In Eagle Pass, Texas, local residents have voiced concerns about the occupation of Shelby Park, which has been closed to the public as part of security measures.
“Shelby Park being taken by soldiers… We used to have our public events there, and we certainly miss it,” said Eagle Pass resident Wendy Garcia, in an interview with FOX 26 Houston’s Jonathan Mejia.
Looking Ahead
Governor Abbott’s demand for federal reimbursement adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and border security. As Congress considers its response, the conversation surrounding Texas’ role in border enforcement—and its financial implications—continues to unfold.