Texas’s push for federal reimbursement of its border security initiative, Operation Lone Star, moved a step closer to realization after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on May 22, 2025. The bill includes a $12 billion allocation for state-level immigration enforcement efforts, potentially covering a significant portion of the $11.1 billion Texas spent on Operation Lone Star from 2021 to 2025. However, the legislation must still pass the Senate, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Operation Lone Star was launched in 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott as a state-driven response to increased immigration at the southern border. The initiative deployed Texas National Guard units and Department of Public Safety officers to assist federal authorities, focusing on detaining migrants and disrupting smuggling operations. The state financed the program using its general revenue, federal COVID-19 relief funds, and budget reallocations, including funds diverted from other state departments.
Critics of the program, including the ACLU of Texas and Human Rights Watch, have pointed to concerns about its human rights impact, citing numerous high-speed chases, injuries, and fatalities. These groups argue that the program is not only costly but also dangerous and ineffective. Reports indicate at least 74 deaths and 189 injuries linked to the initiative’s operations.
Efforts to recoup these costs began shortly after President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025. Governor Abbott formally requested federal reimbursement in a letter to congressional leaders. This was followed by the introduction of the Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act by Congressman Roger Williams in February 2025, though the bill failed to pass before the 118th Congress concluded.
Momentum shifted with the start of the 119th Congress. The newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes substantial funding for border security enhancements and a homeland security grant program aimed at reimbursing states. While the bill’s full impact on Texas remains undefined, sources suggest a portion of the $12 billion could help offset Operation Lone Star’s financial burden.
Despite this progress, the bill faces a critical hurdle in the Senate, where negotiations may alter or delay its provisions. Until it is signed into law, Texas’s reimbursement remains hypothetical. Nonetheless, the legislation signals growing congressional recognition of the fiscal challenges states face in managing border security operations.
Public and political responses remain divided. Supporters argue the reimbursement is justified given Texas’s assumption of responsibilities typically handled by the federal government. Opponents, however, question the efficacy and ethics of Operation Lone Star, warning that reimbursement could set a precedent for funding state-led enforcement programs with contested outcomes.
As the Senate considers the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Texas officials and stakeholders await clarity on whether the federal government will contribute to the state’s considerable border security expenses. The outcome will likely influence future discussions on the division of immigration enforcement responsibilities between state and federal authorities.
