Texas pushed for billions in border reimbursements. Now the fund is open.

WASHINGTON — The federal fund Texas has been waiting on to seek reimbursement for border security costs is now open.

The State Border Security Reinforcement Fund was posted Wednesday, nearly 11 months after the money was included in the Congressional spending package, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The bill cleared Congress on July 3, 2025, and was signed into law the next day. But the federal grant opportunity was not posted until June 3, 2026.

The grant page lists the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency as the agency overseeing the fund. State governments are eligible to apply.

Texas has been one of the strongest proponents of the reimbursement push.

State leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, had been advocating for the federal government to reimburse Texas for border security costs tied to Operation Lone Star and other state-led efforts under the Biden administration.

Abbott has told federal lawmakers that Texas spent more than $11 billion on border security, including border wall construction and maintenance and personnel costs for the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety.

According to the federal listing, the program includes $9,985,436,000 in total program funding.

The grant page lists 50 expected awards and says there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

We reached out to Gov. Abbott's office about the application opening and when Texas might apply.

'Texas has a true partner in the White House that takes border security seriously. We will work closely with DHS and the DOJ to ensure Texas is fully reimbursed for holding the line against the Biden Administration’s open border policies. As a law-and-order state, Texas will keep coordinating with the Trump Administration to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and secure the border.' – Andrew Mahaleris, Press Secretary