Operation Lone Star: Texas’ $11 billion border security challenge

Texas continues to make strides in securing its southern border with Mexico, although at a significant cost. Gov. Greg Abbott committed to a large, state-funded border wall project as part of Operation Lone Star.

Three years into the project, only 34 miles of the planned 1,254-mile wall have been completed. At the current rate, the crew expects to complete the project in 30 years at an estimated cost of $20 billion. Currently, the constructed sections of the wall represent only 4% of the targeted areas, with a goal to reach 100 miles by the end of 2026. Crews would need to build about half a mile per week to meet that goal.

Land acquisition has proven to be a significant hurdle as contractors face challenges in securing land easements. However, the Texas Facilities Commission noted a turning point. Improved negotiations lead to 79 easements covering approximately 59 miles of the proposed wall.

Texas already spent more than $3 billion on the wall's construction. This funding does not include the work being done on a forward operating base in Eagle Pass, a major hotspot for migrant crossings. Border officials recorded about 214,000 encounters through May of 2024.

The 80-acre facility currently supports around 300 Texas National Guard soldiers, with plans to expand and accommodate up to 1,800.

Security at the borders varies significantly by location. For example, El Paso features a steel wall built in 2018 during Donald Trump's presidency. In comparison, Eagle Pass uses a makeshift combination of shipping containers, chain-link fences and concertina wire along the Rio Grande.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, Texas taxpayers have spent $11 billion on various security measures , attracting mixed criticism across the state. Supporters argued it is a necessary response to federal inaction on border security and immigration enforcement. Many proponents also donated more than $56 million by the end of last year .

Critics, however, question the initiative's efficacy and financial responsibility. The ACLU of Texas raised concerns about racial profiling in arrests made under the operation.

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