Texas Border Security: How Long Can It Last?

"How long can we do this?" — State Sen. Bryan Birdwell

State Sen. Bryan Birdwell, a Granbury Republican who heads the Texas Senate Committee on Border Security, question the longevity and escalating costs of Texas' border security efforts. With an $11 billion price tag, Operation Lone Star, launched in 2021 to combat illegal immigration, has become a massive undertaking with a military base camp under construction in Eagle Pass.

Economic Dependencies and Political Realities

Birdwell's concerns highlight the economic and political realities of such initiatives. Once established, they create dependencies, bringing money and jobs to local areas, making it politically challenging to dismantle them, as seen with military base closures after the Cold War. Operation Lone Star's vast geographical reach across Texas' border region means a wide range of constituencies are impacted, including local businesses and law enforcement.

Impact on Local Economies and Law Enforcement

The presence of National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety troopers boosts local economies, and sheriffs in border counties have received tens of millions from the state to support the operation. Abbott's Forward Base Camp in Eagle Pass, with accommodations for 2,300 soldiers, adds to the sense of permanency.

Future Scenarios and Unknowns

The future of Operation Lone Star depends on unknown factors, including the national immigration policies of the next presidential administration, which takes office around the same time the Texas Legislature reconvenes in 2025. Texas may need to extend Operation Lone Star further, or it could scale back if the new federal administration effectively addresses border issues.

Despite the costs and uncertainties, the answer to Birdwell's "how long" question seems to be: for quite some time.

URLs in the Article:

• https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2023/budget_justification/pdfs/05_BRAC/FY2023_BRAC_Overview.pdf