AUSTIN, Texas — A bipartisan panel of state lawmakers representing Texas’ southern border is calling on Governor Greg Abbott to reinvest a newly approved $7.5 billion federal border security reimbursement directly back into border communities.
In a letter sent to Abbott on September 25, five members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) Special Committee on Border Security urged the governor to partner with border legislators and local leaders ahead of the 90th Legislative Session to develop a comprehensive border revitalization plan.
The letter—led by Special Committee Chair Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. (D-Eagle Pass)—stresses that the windfall should be used to make generational investments in critical infrastructure, international trade corridors, workforce development, water systems, parks, and schools across the region.
“Texas fought for this reimbursement, and now we need to make sure our border communities see the benefits,” Rep. Morales said in a statement. “We have an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure, workforce and economic development that our border region needs. Our committee is ready to work with Governor Abbott to develop a plan that puts these funds back into the communities that have played a central role in Texas’ border security efforts.”
The MALC Special Committee on Border Security was established during the 89th Legislative Session to craft a long-term strategy for the region, focusing on economic development, infrastructure, trade, and regional security.
Signing off on the letter alongside Rep. Morales were State Reps. Erin Gámez (D-Brownsville), Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City), Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco), and Vince Perez (D-El Paso). The only member of the six-person committee who did not sign the letter was State Rep. Janie Lopez (R-San Benito).
In their letter to Abbott, committee members noted that they had joined the governor's initial calls demanding full federal reimbursement for state-funded border enforcement, but accompanied that effort with a mandate to revitalize border towns that bore the burden of deployment.
"For decades, border communities have played a pivotal role in supporting Texas’s economic growth and security interests," the committee wrote. "Now is the time to ensure this federal reimbursement leaves a lasting legacy and is invested in the future of our border region, from the Rio Grande Valley to El Paso and every community in between."
The committee's request comes a week after Governor Abbott announced on September 18 that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had approved $7.5 billion in federal funding to reimburse Texas for expenditures associated with Operation Lone Star.
The award was approved under the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, created through federal legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, following an application submitted by the Office of the Governor in June.
“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,” Governor Abbott said during his announcement. “Texas held the line when Washington would not. Texas taxpayers spent billions to stop illegal crossings, catch criminals, and seize deadly drugs. This reimbursement is a victory for those taxpayers. I thank President Trump and Secretary Mullin for this action.”
According to state official figures, Operation Lone Star deployed thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers along the border, constructed physical border barriers, and utilized technology that state leaders attribute to reducing illegal border crossings by more than 80 percent.
Governor Abbott noted that Texas is also pursuing a portion of an additional $3 billion in Department of Justice funding aimed at fully offsetting state expenditures.
With the 90th Texas Legislative Session approaching, lawmakers along the Rio Grande say they intend to keep pressure on state leaders in Austin to ensure the state’s financial windfall translates into tangible economic growth and infrastructure improvements for South Texas and border municipalities.
