Texas to Receive $7.5 Billion in Federal Border Security Reimbursement

AUSTIN, TX — Texas is set to receive $7.5 billion from the federal government to reimburse the state for border security expenses, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security approved the reimbursement through the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, a $10 billion federal program that provides grants to eligible states and local governments for certain border security expenses.

“I spoke with Secretary Mullin yesterday, who confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security will be sending Texas $7.5 billion as part of the federal funding to reimburse Texas,” Abbott said. “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. I thank President Trump and Secretary Mullin for this action.”

Texas has spent more than $11 billion on border security through Operation Lone Star, the state initiative launched in 2021. The operation has included deployments of Texas National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers, construction of border barriers and the use of technology along the Texas-Mexico border.

Abbott's office said illegal border crossings declined by more than 80% under Operation Lone Star.

The State Border Security Reinforcement Fund was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Federal law appropriated $10 billion for the program and allows grants to cover eligible completed, ongoing or new border security activities dating to Jan. 20, 2021.

Eligible expenses include the construction or installation of border barriers, preparation of land for border infrastructure, detection and interdiction of illicit drugs and certain people who entered the country illegally and committed crimes, and other activities authorized under the program.

The Governor's Office submitted Texas' application for the funding to DHS in June.

Texas is also seeking a portion of an additional $3 billion in Department of Justice funding to reimburse the state for other border security expenses.