Texas Demands $11 Billion Reimbursement for Border Security Plan

(Bloomberg) -- Texas wants its money back.

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Governor Greg Abbott sent letters to US congressional leaders Thursday requesting the federal government reimburse his state for the more than $11 billion it has spent on border security operations since 2021. Texas officials said they were forced to send state assets to guard the border because the Biden administration was neglecting its responsibilities.

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“President Biden’s policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration of violent criminals, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign actors,” Abbott said in a statement. “Accordingly, I am formally requesting that the federal government reimburse Texas for these costs in full.”

It’s unclear what reception Abbott’s request will receive on Capitol Hill, but it comes amid a flurry of attempts to crack down on illegal immigration in the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. Abbott and Trump have been presenting themselves as allies, with the president spending part of a speech on his first day in office praising Abbott for his efforts at securing the border.

“He’s doing a great job, a phenomenal job,” said Trump, singling out Abbott in an address to supporters after his inauguration speech. “But now, he’s going to have a partner to work with him. Before, not only did he not have a partner, he had people selling you out.”

In March 2021, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star, sending over 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers to the border and beefing up physical barriers with river buoys, walls and razor wire. Texas shares more than 1,200 miles of border with Mexico, the largest stretch of any US state.

In its latest state budget proposal, the Texas legislature outlined $6.5 billion in spending on border security, up from $5.1 billion in the previous session.

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