Border Security Update
May 23, 2025 | Media Inquiries: press@mctxgop.org
An update from Texans for Strong Borders
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War Room Host Steve Bannon welcomed Texans for Strong Borders President Chris Russo to discuss priority legislation in the Texas House. Russo emphasized the importance of passing legislation requiring ICE 287(g) participation, Universal E-Verify, and repealing in-state tuition for illegal aliens.
While time runs out in the 89th Legislative Session, Russo affirmed Strong Borders' commitment to getting these policies across the finish line despite significant challenges.
During the show, Russo explained that Strong Borders’ objective is to clear the runway, making it impossible for state officials to claim they lack necessary resources to comply with Trump's deportation mandate.
Russo elaborated on three crucial bills that must pass in Texas. SB 8 on the 287(g) program, which would require sheriffs’ departments to partner with ICE, is vital to mass deportation efforts. SB 324 on E-Verify, which would require all Texas employers to confirm employee eligibility to work in the United States upon hiring, is essential for interior enforcement. SB 1798 on repealing in-state tuition for illegal aliens is necessary to ensure Texas tax dollars are used appropriately and public university seats go Texans, not illegal aliens.
In closing, Russo stressed that if we cannot get this legislation passed, our state will have to wait at least two more years before we can try again, all the while allowing aliens to steal our tax dollars, our jobs, and our security.
After his appearance on the show, SB 8, which would require Sheriffs in counties above 100k population enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE, was placed on the Texas House calendar for Saturday, May 24th.
Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” Will Fund Border Efforts
Border Czar Tom Homan is pleased with the passage of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” stating that it will be necessary to fund border efforts, especially the wall.
Unfortunately, total appropriations for border security and interior immigration enforcement are not as high as originally proposed.
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act includes $68 billion to Customs and Border Protection (including $46.5 billion for a border wall), $81 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $5 billion in Department of Defense funding allocated to border security operations.
Even so, funding for CBP and ICE is fully $50 billion short of what was originally proposed, which was $90B and $110B, respectively. This $50 billion was largely reallocated into non-border Department of Defense funding.
The bill also includes $12 billion to reimburse border states like Texas for security expenses incurred during the Biden administration. Since Trump’s inauguration, Governor Abbott has requested that the federal government cover costs from state-led border security operations, such as Operation Lone Star.
The bill passed the U.S. House with a vote of 215-214, with only two Republicans opposing.