Texas Lawmakers Demand Federal Reimbursement for Border Security Efforts
Austin, TX—Texas representatives, led by Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, are advocating for the federal government to reimburse the state for significant border security expenses amounting to $11 billion, as requested by Governor Greg Abbott. This request is being pushed as House and Senate Republicans work on a bill aimed at advancing President Trump’s agenda without bipartisan support.
In discussions with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Congressman Tony Gonzales expressed concerns over Texas bearing the financial burden of border security. Noem acknowledged the partnership between Texas and the federal government while emphasizing that no decisions have been made regarding state reimbursements. Gonzales remarked, "It’s not fair for the last four years… for states to be on their own."
Simultaneously, data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol indicates a significant drop in illegal border crossings, with over 96,000 apprehensions recorded in the first four months of 2025, a stark decline from the more than 735,000 apprehensions during the same period in 2024. However, the immigration courts face challenges with a backlog of 3.6 million cases, primarily tied to asylum seekers, including 225,000 cases pending in Dallas alone.
Paul Hunker, a former chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pointed out that the backlog is largely due to high apprehension rates and insufficient judges, with cases often scheduled for years ahead. Statistics show that over the past five years, 56% of asylum applications have been denied.
As Texas continues to navigate these complex issues, the push for federal reimbursement highlights ongoing tensions in immigration policy and state-federal relations.
— Jack Fink, KTVT-TV CBS 11
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