Texas – “Joe Biden opened our border. Texas launched Operation Lone Star to close it, which cost our state more than $11 billion. Biden officials fought against us there too,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wrote in a social media post announcing that a federal reimbursement fund for state border security expenses is now available.
Cruz credited President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress for opening the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, a federal program that could allow Texas to recover billions of dollars spent on border security initiatives during the Biden administration. The senator noted that he introduced legislation in 2025 seeking reimbursement for the costs associated with Operation Lone Star, Texas’ large-scale border security operation, Texas Standard reported.
The announcement comes after years of efforts by Texas officials to secure federal reimbursement for state-funded border enforcement measures. Operation Lone Star was launched by Texas in 2021 under the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott in response to increased migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border. The initiative included the deployment of Texas Department of Public Safety personnel, National Guard troops, border barriers, surveillance measures, and other enforcement activities.
According to federal grant information reported by multiple news outlets, the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund contains nearly $10 billion and is being administered through the Department of Homeland Security. The application process officially opened on June 3, allowing states to begin seeking reimbursement for qualifying border security expenses, according to Hoodline.
Texas officials have repeatedly argued that the state was forced to spend billions of dollars because the federal government failed to adequately secure the southern border. Governor Abbott has previously requested more than $11 billion in reimbursement, saying Texas taxpayers should not bear costs that he believes were the responsibility of the federal government.
The push for reimbursement gained momentum in Congress as Texas lawmakers and members of the state’s congressional delegation advocated for federal repayment. Previous legislative proposals sought to create a mechanism allowing border states to recover expenses tied to state-led immigration enforcement and border security operations.
Supporters of reimbursement argue that Texas spent billions protecting not only its own communities but also the nation’s border. They contend that the state stepped in when federal enforcement efforts were insufficient and therefore deserves repayment from Washington. Critics, however, have questioned the effectiveness and cost of some Operation Lone Star initiatives, including border wall construction and other enforcement measures funded by the state.
The opening of the reimbursement fund represents a significant milestone for Texas leaders who have spent years lobbying Congress and federal agencies for financial relief. While the state is expected to seek reimbursement for much of its claimed $11 billion in expenditures, it remains unclear how much funding Texas will ultimately receive and how quickly applications will be processed.
For Cruz and other Texas Republicans, the new fund is being presented as a major policy victory. The senator described the program as the result of efforts by President Trump and congressional Republicans, arguing that it provides long-awaited recognition of the financial burden Texas assumed during years of heightened border enforcement activity.
