States waste billions on border crisis due to Trump’s unbuilt wall.

AUSTIN, Texas — President Biden’s Border Wall Cancellation Imposes Billions in Costs on Texas

“The Biden Administration has ushered in an unprecedented border crisis that has negatively impacted Texas and the entire nation,” said Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. “The federal government’s cancellation of the border wall construction has forced Texas to bear the financial burden of fortifying our southern border in order to protect Texans.”

States Take Matters into Their Own Hands

Arizona and Texas are reaching into their own pockets to respond to the unprecedented illegal immigration surge that followed President Biden’s decision to halt border wall construction. In the 2 1/2 years since the cancellation, these states have been inundated with millions of immigrants illegally entering from Mexico.

Both Texas and Arizona have taken border security into their own hands, deploying tank-like vehicles, shipping container walls, and thousands of soldiers to fortify their borders.

Texas Bears the Financial Burden

In Texas, the cancellation of wall projects meant the state had to construct its own barrier in Starr County to respond to high levels of illegal traffic. The financial burden has cost Texans billions of dollars and precious state resources, as law enforcement officials work tirelessly to quell the influx of illegal migration across the border.

“The border security should not fall on the shoulders of Texans, and our local communities deserve to be paid back,” said Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX).

Playing Defense Without a Wall

Without a wall to impede illegal entry, both Texas and Arizona have been left to play defense and fortify their own borders. While significant achievements have been made in intercepting drugs and illegal immigrants, fully locking down the borders remains a challenge.

To help ease the demand for resources in border communities, both states launched busing initiatives in 2022. Over the past year, more than 25,000 people have boarded buses departing from Texas and Arizona.

Texas: Bearing the Brunt of the Crisis

President Biden’s cancellation of border wall projects has had a significant impact on Texas. Since taking office, Biden halted billions of dollars’ worth of wall projects funded by Congress and diverted money from defense and treasury coffers.

As a result, Texas has seen a spike in illegal immigrant apprehensions at the southern border. In response, Governor Greg Abbott activated over 10,000 National Guard soldiers and state police under Operation Lone Star. The operation has led to the apprehension of more than 387,000 illegal immigrants and the seizure of 421 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.

Abbott has also announced plans to build his own wall along the remaining 1,100 miles of the Texas-Mexico boundary. However, the cost is estimated to be around $22 billion, a significant financial burden for the state.

Arizona: Taking Action in the Face of Crisis

Arizona has also experienced a surge in illegal immigration since the halt of border wall projects. In response, former Governor Doug Ducey installed shipping containers in gaps along the border to address the issue.

However, the Biden administration sued Arizona, leading Ducey to halt the placement of any more shipping containers. The containers were subsequently cleared from the border, resulting in a $100 million cost to taxpayers.

Currently, Governor Katie Hobbs is offering the containers for sale to the public. If they do not sell, they may be headed for the scrap yard.

Despite the challenges faced by both Texas and Arizona, these states remain committed to protecting their borders and ensuring the safety of their communities.