Texas
5 things to know about Texas border policy
Texas has the longest border with Mexico of any U.S. state, sharing 1,254 miles with its southern neighbor – making it ground zero in the international fight over undocumented immigration.
The numbers of immigrants crossing the border that stretches from Brownsville to El Paso has dipped in recent months but broke records in 2023. The Republican-dominated state waged its own war — overseen by Gov. Greg Abbott — on illegal immigration and in opposition to the Democrat-backed policies of President Joe Biden.
Now, Abbott will announce a new border strategy at an event in Eagle Pass on Thursday.
Here are five key things to know about immigration in the state:
Texas spends billions on border security
Texas has funneled dollars into its own border security initiatives for nearly 20 years, starting with Operation Linebacker in 2005, Operation Rio Grande in 2006, and Operation Wrangler in 2007 – all funded with tens of millions in federal grants awarded through then-Gov. Rick Perry’s office.
In 2007, lawmakers allocated $110 million in state tax dollars to create Operation Border Star, which uses information sharing between federal, state and local law enforcement to bolster efforts along the border. By 2013, Texas had spent nearly half a billion in taxpayer money to supplement federal border programs.
Over the next decade, as Republicans tightened their grip on state leadership and undocumented immigration launched into the political spotlight, funding for border projects soared.
State lawmakers in 2023 allocated $4.6 billion for border security programs in local communities and across Texas.
Operation Lone Star has cost taxpayers $11 billion
Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021, deploying National Guard soldiers and state troopers to the border with Mexico to deter undocumented immigration.
The initiative included erecting barriers, stationing law enforcement along the border, busing migrants to other states and creating migrant-processing centers.
Operation Lone Star encompasses many of the aspects of its early predecessors and now serves as an umbrella strategy for efforts across several state agencies. Abbott now wants $2.9 billion to keep the program going through at least 2027.
Texas wants its money back from the feds
A proposal filed earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Willow Park, would require the federal government to reimburse the state for its losses and expenses incurred during any border operations since 2020.
The federal government bears the responsibility of enforcing its international borders, mainly through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. constitution authorizes the government to require citizenship to participate in its systems of democracy, which makes the feds the primary stewards of immigration into the country.
Williams and other state leaders argue, then, that the federal government owes Texas because it has failed to secure the Texas-Mexico border and cost state taxpayers money. Reimbursement should include expenses incurred by Operation Lone Star as well as potentially billions allocated to agencies such as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard, according to the congressman’s proposal.
Texas is buying border land, bracing for proposed mass deportations
In November, officials unveiled a ranch in Rio Grande City that the state purchased on the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas officials offered it as a site for detention facilities to help the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump with proposed mass deportations. Portions of a border wall have already been built at the site.
Meanwhile, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has said the state is searching for additional land to aid the federal effort.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden Administration over immigration
Paxton has gone to court to protect Abbott’s efforts to build a border wall and install buoys and razor wire in the Rio Grande River.
He challenged policies that conservatives say contribute to illegal immigration. He has successfully used the courts to halt immigration policies that included the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which allowed some undocumented immigrants who got to the U.S. while younger than 16 to work in the country, delaying deportation.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with more expectations than any team has had to deal with in recent memory.
Many among the media were ready to crown the team and quarterback Arch Manning before they even played one game. Of course, those unrealistic expectations were never met, even though the team finished with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
2026 is heading in the same direction for the Longhorns. Many believe head coach Steve Sarkisian has the most talented team in the country. But in order to fix the issues from this past season, the Longhorns needed to fix one issue that has cost them in the past.
Changing The Narrative
One of the biggest issues the Longhorns had last season was the play of the offensive line. It was apparent in the first game of the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes that Manning didn’t have the pocket time needed to make big plays.
This offseason, Coach Sarkisian went out and found two massive transfer portal additions that should completely change the narrative on this offensive line.
It starts with potential starting right tackle Melvin Siani. Siani has spent time with the Temple Owls and last season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Longhorns are set at left tackle with Trevor Goosby, who could play himself into being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the team can get competent play from Siani, the offense will be able to open up the playbook, and the world may finally see Manning at his college peak.
The Longhorns also went out and found a potential fix at left guard for the 2026 season. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers transfer Laurence Seymore could be another strong patch for the holes in the offensive line.
After spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Miami Hurricanes, Seymore made stops with the Akron Zips and the Hilltoppers.
Of course, the one concern with Seymore is wondering if he can compete at the SEC level coming from the C-USA.
This season for the Longhorns starts and stops with the play of Manning. Coach Sarkisian and the rest of this coaching staff understood that protecting their quarterback was the most important goal when building the 2026 roster.
The Longhorns are going to be leaning on veteran talent to protect their quarterback, and it may very well be the best decision they made this offseason.
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U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico promise to serve all in El Paso
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico discusses key public issues in Texas during the first stop of his Frontera Tour July 11, 2026 in El Paso.
The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.
Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.
The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.
Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.
Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’
Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.
The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.
Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.
“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.
Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:
Monday, July 13:
- 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
- 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass
Tuesday, July 14:
- 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
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