In a major shift in its border strategy, Texas has decided to stop putting new money into building its state-funded border wall. The decision comes after spending over $3 billion and finishing just 65 miles of wall—far short of what was originally promised.
The move wasn’t announced with a press release or a big debate. Instead, it was quietly written into the latest state budget, signaling that even the most high-profile projects can quietly fade out when priorities change.
A Big Plan That Never Got Big Results
Back in 2021, Governor Greg Abbott made headlines when he vowed to build miles of wall along the Texas-Mexico border. The state even launched a public fundraising page, asking Texans to pitch in.
But four years later, the results are underwhelming. Of the 800+ miles Abbott aimed for, just 65 have been built. Construction has been slow and costly, with each mile costing tens of millions of dollars.
Why the Sudden Change?
So what’s behind the shift? A few things.
First, illegal crossings have dropped significantly in recent months, which state officials attribute to tougher federal enforcement. With fewer people crossing, the pressure to build more wall has eased.
Second, the federal government—under former President Trump—has increased support for border security, giving Texas more backup and allowing the state to focus its resources elsewhere.
Where Is the Money Going Now?
Instead of building more wall, the $3.4 billion approved in the new state budget will be used for Operation Lone Star. That’s the state’s border security program involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard.
Compared to the previous $6.5 billion budget, this marks a big drop in overall border spending. And for the first time since the project began, no money has been set aside for building new wall segments.
The Texas Facilities Commission says there’s still about $2.5 billion left from earlier budgets to finish up to 85 more miles of wall. But after that, the project is done.
What Texans Are Saying
Reactions have been mixed. Some lawmakers say cutting wall funding was the right call. Sen. Joan Huffman, a key figure in crafting the budget, called it a “responsible financial decision” that reflects current needs.
Others—especially environmental groups—are glad to see the wall project winding down. They’ve long argued the wall did more harm than good, disrupting wildlife and communities while failing to stop migration effectively.
At the same time, critics of the funding cut warn that Texas is now more dependent on federal efforts, which could change with future administrations.
Still Some Wall to Finish
While no new sections will be started, ongoing projects will continue. Construction is still active in several counties, and officials say the remaining budget will cover wall-building through at least mid-2026.
But the original vision of a massive, state-funded wall stretching across hundreds of miles of Texas has clearly been left behind.
What This Means Going Forward
Texas is changing its approach. Instead of walls, it’s now investing in more boots on the ground—troopers, National Guard units, and resources to detain and process migrants.
This doesn’t mean the state is softening its stance on immigration. It just means it’s trying a different, and possibly more flexible, way to deal with it.
Whether this will be more effective remains to be seen. But for now, the border wall that once dominated Texas politics has taken a back seat.
