Senator John Cornyn, a prominent Republican from Texas, has called upon Congress to reimburse the state for its substantial spending on border security under Operation Lone Star. He points to President Joe Biden’s immigration policies as the primary cause of the financial burden, claiming that the administration failed to address the surge in illegal immigration and related security challenges.
Cornyn argues that Biden’s refusal to implement effective measures, such as continuing the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy and maintaining the construction of the border wall, led to a crisis on the southern border. He attributes the increasing number of illegal immigrants and the smuggling of deadly synthetic opioids to the administration’s inaction. While the federal government is supposed to handle national security, Cornyn asserts that Texas was left to manage the consequences of this failure, incurring significant costs.
Operation Lone Star, launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, resulted in the apprehension of over half a million illegal immigrants, including more than 50,000 criminal arrests. The operation also led to the seizure of hundreds of thousands of fentanyl doses and a reduction in illegal immigration by 87%. However, these efforts cost the state upwards of $11 billion, a significant amount for Texans to shoulder while the federal government was allegedly neglecting its responsibilities.
In response to the situation, Cornyn has been working with various members of Congress, including President Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and bipartisan Republicans in the House, to ensure that the reimbursement request is addressed through the reconciliation bill, known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ He emphasizes that the financial burden on Texas is a direct result of Biden’s administration and that Congress must take responsibility for correcting this oversight.
Despite the financial strain on Texas, Cornyn remains resolute in his efforts to secure reimbursement through legislative action. He highlights the importance of holding the federal government accountable for its failure to protect the nation’s borders and its citizens from the dangers posed by illegal immigration. The senator’s push for reimbursement not only aims to alleviate the financial burden on Texas but also serves as a political statement against the current administration’s handling of border security.