Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act

This legislation, known as the Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act , aims to compensate the State of Texas for significant expenses incurred in securing its southern international border. It asserts that the federal government is primarily responsible for border security but, due to perceived inaction from 2021 to 2025, Texas was compelled to fund its own border security efforts. The bill highlights Texas's "Operation Lone Star," which has reportedly led to the apprehension of over half a million illegal immigrants, denied 140,000 attempted entries, and resulted in 50,000 criminal arrests. These actions, costing Texas taxpayers $11.1 billion, were undertaken to combat threats such as human and drug trafficking, and the illicit movement of contraband. To facilitate reimbursement, the Governor of Texas must submit an application to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and the Treasury, detailing all border security expenses from 2021 through 2025. The Department of Homeland Security is then required to review this application within 120 days, determine eligible expenses, and report its decision to Congress. Subsequently, the Secretary of the Treasury is mandated to pay the approved reimbursement amount to Texas within 60 days from unappropriated federal funds.