AUSTIN, TX – Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to county judges across the state on Monday, asking them to send to the Governor’s office a full and accurate estimate of the fiscal impact the current surge of migrants at the southern border border is having on their respective counties.
“Securing the border is the federal government’s responsibility, but the current crisis has placed a costly burden on the State of Texas and on our local governments,” said Governor Abbott. “I have heard from many counties about the challenges they are facing from the surge in illegal border crossings. Several counties have declared local disasters. Other counties have been working around the clock in response to the federal government opening migrant facilities in their counties. I strongly believe that your county, our state, and our fellow Texans should not be forced to shoulder these costs, and that the federal government should reimburse us in full.”
According to the Governor, the state will use the financial information to formally request that the federal government pay in full for these costs borne by state and local governments.
