Texas Gov. Abbott's $11 Billion Border Security Reimbursement: Protecting 'The Rest Of America' Was Expensive

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has requested a reimbursement of over $11 billion from the federal government for border security operations and wall construction during the Biden administration. In letters sent to U.S. House and Senate leaders, Abbott argued that Texas has borne the burden of securing the border due to the federal government's refusal to do its job. The letter, also sent to Texas' congressional delegation, largely blames former President Joe Biden's border security policy for leaving Texas "defenseless," forcing state officials to expend billions.

The request comes as Texas has spent over $11.1 billion on border security operations since 2021, including $4.8 billion on border wall construction, $3.6 billion on National Guard deployment, and $2.3 billion on Texas state troopers. Alongside the written request to Congress was a table breaking down how the $11 billion was spent, with $3.6 billion alone allocated to National Guard deployment, and $2.3 billion for Texas state troopers. Currently, 4,200 soldiers are deployed at the border, according to the letter, and as many as 10,000 were stationed there during high points, leading to more than 50,000 criminal arrests.

The largest portion of the estimate — $4.8 billion — went to border wall construction, processing criminal trespasses and relocating migrants "out of small Texas towns." Abbott clarified in the letter that about $3 billion went to border wall construction alone. The wall has cost the state anywhere from $17 million to $41 million to construct per mile in fragmented sections across six counties, and the letter claims more than 100 miles of the wall has been built since 2021. However, as of November 2024, only about 50 miles of border wall were confirmed to have been completed.

More than $116 million was also spent on the Eagle Forward Operating Base, the first military base at Texas' southern border. The base, which began housing National Guard members in May, costs $14.5 million per month to operate, and officials in 2024 estimated it would save about $11.5 million per month in state lodging costs.

Abbott's request was shortly followed by a resolution filed in the Texas House by Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, which requests that the state Legislature also demand the $11 billion from the federal government. While the request itself is new, the use of federal funds for Texas' border operations is not. Roughly $1 billion in federal funding already has been used to pay for Operation Lone Star through reallocations from the Coronavirus Relief Fund via the Cares Act and through a series of small transfers to the governor's office.

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Governor Greg Abbott is asking the federal government for more than $11 billion in reimbursements to Texas for the costs of border security operations and wall construction during the Biden administration. In letters sent Thursday to U.S. House and Senate leaders, Abbott requested $11.1 billion in federal funding to reimburse the state for spending since 2021 on border wall construction and costs stemming from Operation Lone Star. The letter, also sent to Texas’ congressional delegation, largely blames former President Joe Biden’s border security policy for leaving Texas “defenseless,” forcing state officials to expend billions.

The request comes as Texas has spent over $11.1 billion on border security operations since 2021, including $4.8 billion on border wall construction, $3.6 billion on National Guard deployment, and $2.3 billion on Texas state troopers. Alongside the written request to Congress was a table breaking down how the $11 billion was spent, with $3.6 billion alone allocated to National Guard deployment, and $2.3 billion for Texas state troopers. Currently, 4,200 soldiers are deployed at the border, according to the letter, and as many as 10,000 were stationed there during high points, leading to more than 50,000 criminal arrests.

The largest portion of the estimate — $4.8 billion — went to border wall construction, processing criminal trespasses and relocating migrants “out of small Texas towns.” Abbott clarified in the letter that about $3 billion went to border wall construction alone. The wall has cost the state anywhere from $17 million to $41 million to construct per mile in fragmented sections across six counties, and the letter claims more than 100 miles of the wall has been built since 2021. However, as of November 2024, only about 50 miles of border wall were confirmed to have been completed.

More than $116 million was also spent on the Eagle Forward Operating Base, the first military base at Texas' southern border. The base, which began housing National Guard members in May, costs $14.5 million per month to operate, and officials in 2024 estimated it would save about $11.5 million per month in state lodging costs.

Abbott’s request was shortly followed by a resolution filed in the Texas House by Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, which requests that the state Legislature also demand the $11 billion from the federal government. While the request itself is new, the use of federal funds for Texas’ border operations is not. Roughly $1 billion in federal funding already has been used to pay for Operation Lone Star through reallocations from the Coronavirus Relief Fund via the Cares Act and through a series of small transfers to the governor’s office.

In conclusion, Governor Greg Abbott's request for $11 billion in reimbursement for Texas' border security operations and wall construction during the Biden administration highlights the significant financial burden the state has borne in addressing what it sees as a failure of the federal government to secure the border. As Texas continues to grapple with the economic and social impacts of its border security efforts, the appropriate balance between state and federal responsibilities remains a contentious issue.