Texas
Texas wants $11 billion back from the government
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has written to congressional leaders asking that the federal government reimburse his state for the $11 billion it spent on border security under Operation Lone Star.
Newsweek contacted Abbott’s office and the White House press office for comment on Friday via email outside regular office hours.
Why It Matters
The governor’s request may be an early test for President Donald Trump, who has praised Abbott’s efforts on border security under his predecessor but may balk at the federal government footing the bill.
Alex Wong/GETTY
What To Know
In a letter dated January 23 and addressed to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, Abbott said Texas had spent more than $11 billion to “protect the nation and secure the border.”
The total included almost $3 billion constructing 100 miles of border wall and deploying floating buoys in the Rio Grande and almost $6 billion on the deployment of 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel.
In his letter to congressional leaders, Abbott said the Biden administration had “refused to enforce federal immigration law and pursued reckless open-border policies that invited record-breaking illegal immigration.”
The governor said he launched Operation Lone Star in 2021 as “a direct result of the refusal of the federal government to do its job” and was now seeking to get the program’s cost reimbursed for Texas taxpayers. Abbott said that under Operation Lone Star, more than 500,000 illegal migrants had been apprehended, with 50,000 criminal arrests and the seizure of enough fentanyl to “kill every man, woman, and child in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada combined.”
According to figures from Customs and Border Protection, there were 10.6 million encounters between Border Patrol officers and suspected illegal migrants between October 2020 and August 2024, of which more than 8 million took place on the southwest border with Mexico.
In 2021, Abbott issued a disaster declaration covering more than 50 counties on the Texan-Mexican border, allowing him to deploy National Guard soldiers to increase security. In his letter, he said about 10,000 such troops were deployed at the peak of Operation Lone Star, with the current figure at almost 4,200.
In a funding breakdown for Operation Lone Star sent alongside his letter, Abbott said that between 2022 and 2025, Texas spent $4.75 billion on border walls and other obstacles, processing criminal trespass arrests, and “the relocation of migrants out of small Texas towns.” The state spent an additional $3.62 billion on “personnel costs for the deployment of National Guard soldiers” and $2.25 billion to fund Texas state troopers.
Abbott addressed the letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
What People Are Saying
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “No state has had to bear the brunt of the Biden-Harris border crisis more than Texas. I will fight to include funds in Congress’ reconciliation bill to reimburse Texas for its efforts to secure the border as a result of the Biden admin’s complete dereliction of duty.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X on Thursday: “This week, Texas & Indiana National Guard soldiers installed additional razor wire barriers along the border. Razor wire is a proven strategy to deter & repel illegal immigrants. Working with President @realDonaldTrump & partner states, Texas will continue to secure the border.”
What Happens Next
During his inauguration on Monday, Trump vowed to “declare a national emergency at our southern border,” adding, “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
The president has since signed a series of executive orders restricting asylum access to the U.S., terminating an app used by thousands of migrants and revoking birthright citizenship—though that measure was blocked on Thursday by a federal judge.
Trump will have to decide whether he wants to reward Abbott by reimbursing his state’s expenses for Operation Lone Star or whether he wants to prevent the $11 billion price tag from falling on federal coffers.
Portal season is going to keep coaching staffs and program front offices up at night.
Apparently, it’s going to keep fans up at night as well. Kentucky fans are going to face that reality these next few days, maybe even a week or more, regarding quarterback Sam Leavitt, who visited Kentucky this weekend.
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Unfortunately, Leavitt left Lexington without signing with the Wildcats. He’s now set to visit Texas Tech on Sunday, per On3’s Pete Nakos
Leavitt is one of the top players to enter the transfer portal after the window opened on Friday. He currently ranks as the No. 2 overall player and top quarterback to hit the open market, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.
Leavitt is expected to be one of the most sought-after transfer quarterbacks this cycle after spending the last two seasons at Arizona State. He helped lead the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff in 2024 before injuries impacted his production in 2025.
Wildcats fans are excited about the tantalizing prospect Leavitt is, but now the waiting game begins.
After a big win in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks are on to the quarterfinals. Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks will take on the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
How To Watch
When: Thursday, Jan. 1, at 9 a.m. PT.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Radio Call: Oregon Sports Network, KUJZ-FM 95.3 (Eugene), KRSK-105.1 FM/1080 AM (Portland)
Betting Odds
The Oregon Ducks are 2.5-point favorites against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on FanDuel Sportsbook. The moneyline for Oregon is -130, and the point total is set at 52.5.
Injury Update
The Oregon Ducks’ wide receiver unit is getting healthy at the right time. Wide receivers Gary Bryant Jr. and Dakorien Moore were both seen at practice on Saturday ahead of the game against Texas Tech.
Running back Jordon Davison has been a player to monitor, but was also seen back at practice, another positive sign for the Ducks.
The one player who was not seen during the open portion of practice by the media was wide receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart has yet to play in a game this season, and he will continue to be a player to monitor.
Oregon’s Explosive Offense To Play Key Role
The Oregon Ducks offense has been tough to stop, with its immense depth and explosive plays. The Ducks played well throughout the season despite injuries, but with players returning, Oregon will be tough to stop.
The Ducks lead the FBS with plays going for over 20 yards and are No. 2 in yards per rush, proving the team’s explosiveness. The Ducks total 217.08 rushing yards per game and 251.8 passing yards per game.
The Oregon offense is led by quarterback Dante Moore, who is having a breakout year. Moore totals 3,046 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He threw four touchdowns against James Madison, but he will have to be careful against the Red Raiders after also throwing two interceptions. Moore also totals 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Oregon Ducks Injury Update From Practice Highlights One Major Absence
MORE: Texas Tech Defensive Coordinator Shares Blunt Assessment of Dante Moore
MORE: Oregon Quarterback Austin Novosad’s Likely Landing Spot After Transfer Portal Entry
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Wide receiver Malik Benson has been a role player amid injuries to the offense. Benson leads the team with 645 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq leads the team with eight touchdown receptions and has 509 receiving yards.
Moore does well at spreading the ball around to his several receiving targets, making Oregon a tough team to defend against the pass.
Oregon’s talented running back room has been one of the many highlights of the offense. Running back Noah Whittington leads the team with 798 rushing yards and has six touchdowns. True freshman running back Jordon Davison leads the team with 13 rushing touchdowns and has 625 rushing yards.
While Whittington and Davison may be leading the team, running back Dierre Hill Jr. is coming off a massive game against the Dukes, with one rushing touchdown and a 40-yard reception.
The Oregon Ducks have playmakers on offense that will help lead to a win against the Red Raiders.
Ducks’ Defense Must Stay Consistent
Oregon has one of the most dominant defenses in college football, but the Ducks must play all four quarters against Texas Tech. Oregon’s defense allowed the Dukes to score four touchdowns in the second half, and that cannot happen against a tougher opponent.
Oregon has allowed 16.3 points per game this season and is No. 4 in the nation in a three-and-out rate of 31.11 percent. The defense ranks No. 1 in the FBS for passes broken up (67), and will be a tough team to throw against.
Safety Dillon Thieneman is proving to be a massive transfer portal addition and is a big reason Oregon does well defending the pass. Thieneman totals 71 tackles, one sack, five passes defended, and two interceptions.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher has been a difference-maker with the Ducks throughout the season. He leads the team with 113 total tackles, and has one sack, four passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Linebacker Teitum Tuioti is another role player on the team, leading the Ducks with 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Oregon has a talented unit on defense, and the Ducks will have to be on top of their game to defeat Texas Tech.
Texas Tech To Pose Challenge
The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the matchup with a 12-1 record and as Big 12 champions. With also coming off a bye, the Red Raiders should not be counted out.
Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton has passed for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has thrown just four interceptions this season, proving he can make smart decisions and is an accurate thrower.
Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas leads the team with 846 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The Red Raiders’ run game has been highly successful this season and will test Oregon’s defense. Running back Cameron Dickey leads the team with 1,095 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two players on the Red Raiders’ defense who may play a critical role will be linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. Bailey leads the team with 13.5 sacks, going against a tough Oregon offensive line. Rodriguez leads the Red Raiders with 117 tackles and has four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Oregon vs. Texas Tech Prediction
The Oregon Ducks will defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 27-24.
If Oregon defeats Texas Tech, the Ducks will face the winner of No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana in the playoff semifinals.
- Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
- If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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