Texas Wants $11 Billion Back From the Government [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 24, 2025 at 4:54 AM EST


Texas Governor Greg Abbott has written to congressional leaders asking that the federal government reimburse his state for the $11 billion it spent on border security under Operation Lone Star. Newsweek contacted Abbott's office and the White House press office for comment on Friday via email outside regular office hours.

Why It Matters

The governor's request may be an early test for President Donald Trump, who has praised Abbott's efforts on border security under his predecessor but may balk at the federal government footing the bill.

What To Know

In a letter dated January 23 and addressed to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, Abbott said Texas had spent more than $11 billion to "protect the nation and secure the border." The total included almost $3 billion constructing 100 miles of border wall and deploying floating buoys in the Rio Grande and almost $6 billion on the deployment of 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel.

In his letter to congressional leaders, Abbott said the Biden administration had "refused to enforce federal immigration law and pursued reckless open-border policies that invited record-breaking illegal immigration."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/texas-wants-11-billion-back-government-2020125