(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Don Huffines today said the approximately $7.5 billion the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved to reimburse Texas for border security costs is the first installment of what the federal government owes the state.

“This is step one in making Texas whole,” Huffines said. “Thanks to President Trump, we finally have a federal government with a responsible border security policy that stopped the flow of illegal aliens into our state. Texas taxpayers were forced to pay the bill because the Biden administration, in cahoots with a cartel-controlled Mexican government, refused to enforce the law and opened our border.”

Huffines said the $7.5 billion covers only the state’s direct border security operations, not the broader costs Texas has absorbed.

“Border security spending is a fraction of what this cost us,” Huffines said. “Texas has spent tens of billions of dollars, and by some measures far more, educating illegal aliens in government schools, incarcerating them in our jails and prisons, and covering emergency healthcare and birth tourism. That invoice is still outstanding, and I intend to keep an accounting of it.”

The money comes from the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program created in 2025 to repay states that covered border security costs the federal government did not. Texas sought reimbursement for costs it has carried since 2021 under Operation Lone Star, including deploying Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety personnel, erecting border barrier construction, and funding related operations. The funds have not yet been transferred to the state.

Once received, the reimbursement will be deposited into the state treasury. Because the money repays costs Texas has already paid, it will be available for appropriation by the 90th Legislature when it convenes in January 2027.

“This money is coming back where it belongs,” Huffines said. “Combined with continued growth in sales tax revenue, it puts the Legislature in a far stronger position to deliver meaningful property tax relief next session.”

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts serves as the chief financial officer — treasurer, check writer, tax collector, procurement officer and revenue estimator — for the world’s eighth-largest economy. The agency also administers statewide initiatives, including the Texas Broadband Development Office, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council, Texas college savings plans and more.

Want more Texas news?

Stay up to date on the Texas economy, finances, tax collections, revenue estimates, treasury and more. Everything in our media center and Fiscal Notes pages, including helpful videos and infographics, can be reproduced with appropriate credit. You also can receive agency news releases.