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Texas gets $7.5B federal reimbursement for border costs
The Department of Homeland Security approves a major payment to Texas for Operation Lone Star expenses during the Biden administration.
In brief
The Department of Homeland Security approves a major payment to Texas for Operation Lone Star expenses during the Biden administration. Texas received $7.5 billion in federal reimbursement for border security costs, covering about 75% of its documented expenses, though the money has been approved but not yet…
Texas wins $7.5B border reimbursement
The Department of Homeland Security approved $7.5 billion to reimburse Texas for Operation Lone Star border security costs incurred during the Biden administration.
“Texas held the line when Washington would not.”
Covers 75% of Texas request
The $7.5 billion covers about 75% of the $9.985 billion Texas documented in its federal application, leaving $2.485 billion of the request uncovered.
Abbott announces approval after DHS call
Governor Greg Abbott announced the approval Friday after speaking with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who confirmed the Department of Homeland Security would send the funds.
Congress created the funding mechanism
Congress created the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund in 2025, placing $10 billion in DHS for border security activity occurring after January 20, 2021, available through September 30, 2034.
Fund covers specific border activities
The fund covers walls, fencing, barriers, detection and interdiction of drugs and unlawful entrants, referral to DHS, and relocation of migrants from small population centers.
Texas requested nearly $10 billion
Texas's June 24 application sought $9.985 billion: $7.099 billion for detection and interdiction, $2.607 billion for border infrastructure, $267.1 million for relocation, and $13 million for ground preparation.
Approval is not yet a deposit
The approval has not been deposited into Texas accounts. The money must go through FEMA's formal award process, including acceptance and drawdown requests, before electronic transfer occurs.
Texas pursuing second federal claim
Texas is separately applying for a share of $3 billion from the Justice Department's Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Reimbursement Fund for criminal justice and law enforcement costs.
Abbott claims 80% reduction in crossings
Abbott's office credited Operation Lone Star with reducing illegal crossings by more than 80%, though the announcement did not provide baseline data, time period, or methodology for the claim.
The big picture
Texas received $7.5 billion in federal reimbursement for border security costs, covering about 75% of its documented expenses, though the money has been approved but not yet deposited.
