Texas Governor Secures $7.5 Billion for Border Security

Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott achieved a significant milestone, obtaining a $7.5 billion grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This financial support is intended to reimburse Texas for its border security efforts amid the ongoing situation described as the Biden Border Crisis.

“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 remarked. “Texas held the line when Washington would not. Texas taxpayers spent billions to stop illegal crossings, catch criminals, and seize deadly drugs.”

During the crisis, Abbott deployed numerous Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and members of the Texas National Guard under what’s known as Operation Lone Star, aiming to secure the Texas-Mexico border. It’s estimated that around two-thirds of illegal crossings occurred along this border during that time.

Abbott emphasized, “This reimbursement is a victory for those taxpayers. I thank President Trump and Secretary Mullin for this action.”

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines expressed that this funding is an important step towards “making Texas whole,” following years of state expenditure on border security after what he believes was a lapse in responsibility from President Biden’s administration.

He further stated, “Texas taxpayers were forced to pay the bill because the Biden administration, in cahoots with a cartel-controlled Mexican government, refused to enforce the law and opened our border.”

This reimbursement is drawn from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State Border Security Reimbursement Fund, which was established in 2025. According to reports, this program originated from a major funding bill under President Donald Trump.

The allocated funds are meant for states and local governments that incurred expenses related to constructing or installing a border wall or similar barriers along the southern U.S. border. It also supports efforts to address illegal immigration and crime, aiding in transferring or referring undocumented immigrants to the DHS.

Huffines commented on the return of the funds, saying, “This money is coming back where it belongs. Combined with continued growth in sales tax revenue, it puts the Legislature in a far stronger position to deliver meaningful property tax relief next session.”

Texas’s border security initiatives date back to the Obama administration, when then-Governor Rick Perry deployed National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers to the border. Abbott has also indicated that he is seeking an additional $3 billion reimbursement from the Department of Justice for related expenses.