In response to the $11 billion spent by Texas on border security measures during President Biden's tenure, Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps toward seeking reimbursement. According to Click2Houston, Abbott detailed this financial burden during a discussion with President Donald Trump, highlighting the state's proactive stance, which included construction and the deployment of military, law enforcement, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The governor's office has termed these expenditures as necessary, falling back on the federal government's traditional role in securing the U.S.-Mexico border. "Even though the federal government has a duty to secure our nation's borders, from day one former President Joe Biden refused to enforce federal immigration law and pursued reckless open-border policies that invited record-breaking illegal immigration," Abbott asserted in a letter wherein he claimed that these state-led initiatives were necessitated by the federal government's failure to act. CBS News reported that Operation Lone Star, which was launched by Abbott in 2021, led to the apprehension of over half a million undocumented immigrants and the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl, among other outcomes.

Abbott proposes that Texas could potentially facilitate federal efforts by offering valuable real estate assets to house federal agents and utilize around 4,000 available prison cells for their operations. He believes that this arrangement could enhance the existing resources and strengthen border security. As part of the ongoing communication with federal authorities, Abbott also met with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss securing further support from Congress. During this time, Abbott highlighted dangerous incidents at the border, such as gunfire and drone encounters between Texas law enforcement and National Guard members with cartel members, as reported by Click2Houston.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn has voiced his support for Texas's efforts, stating, "Texas taxpayers who have been financing Operation Lone Star for four years cannot be forgotten." He added that he plans to "fight to include funds in Congress' reconciliation legislation to reimburse Texas for its historic efforts to secure the border as a result of the Biden administration's complete and total absence and dereliction of duty," as per a statement given to CBS News. Prior to President Biden's term, Texas was already contributing $800 million per biennium in addition to the federal government's efforts at the southern border.