By: Hefner H.C.R. No. 51 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, The federal government is the responsible authority for immigration services and border control functions; and WHEREAS, Policies set forth by President Joe Biden and his administration resulted in historic levels of illegal immigration along the southern border; according to the United States Customs and Border Patrol, there were at least eight million reported southwest border encounters from January 2021 to present; and WHEREAS, The onslaught of illegal immigration under President Joe Biden and his administration has burdened our state beyond measure with crime and drains resources intended for American citizens; WHEREAS, To compensate for the failures of the federal government to enforce immigration laws, the state of Texas expended at least $11 billion since 2021 to secure its southern border through Operation Lone Star, a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department; and WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that Operation Lone Star resulted in a 74 percent decline in illegal border crossings along the Texas southern border; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby demands that the United States Congress reimburse the State of Texas for the $11 billion in costs incurred in securing the southern border.