Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is poised to reshape the state's extensive border security efforts following her victory over incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Hinojosa, a Democrat and state representative from Austin, will become the first Democrat to hold the governorship since Ann Richards when she takes office in January. Her election signals a potential reevaluation of Operation Lone Star, the multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by Governor Abbott in 2021.
"As governor, I’ll put in the work to secure the border, not waste working Texans’ money on political theater." Gina Hinojosa, Texas Governor-elect
Operation Lone Star was established during President Joe Biden's administration in response to what Abbott described as a crisis at the southern border. The program has directed over $11 billion in Texas taxpayer money towards enhancing border security. This funding has supported the construction of state-owned stretches of border barrier, deployed more than 10,000 National Guard members, and facilitated the installation of razor wire. Additionally, the initiative involved sending state personnel to the border and busing migrants to various Democratic-led cities across the country. Through Operation Lone Star, Texas has become a leading partner in federal immigration enforcement.
Governor-elect Hinojosa has consistently opposed Operation Lone Star since its inception. She voted against its initial funding and has frequently criticized Governor Abbott's management of the program. Despite her strong opposition, Hinojosa has not explicitly promised to dismantle the operation completely. She stated, "As governor, I’ll put in the work to secure the border, not waste working Texans’ money on political theater." When pressed to identify specific border-security expenses she would cut, Hinojosa declined to name any. Instead, she highlighted what she described as billions spent prosecuting migrants for trespassing, while taxpayers simultaneously covered their legal representation. "Public safety shouldn’t be a political stunt," Hinojosa asserted regarding her approach. She added, "I will spend the money it takes to keep our community safe, not for political theater."
Hinojosa's positions include firm opposition to new border-wall construction in the Big Bend region, which she argues is unnecessary. She has also been a vocal critic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Texas's cooperation in certain federal immigration operations. Prior to her election, Hinojosa accused Governor Abbott of transforming Texas into a "staging ground" for federal enforcement operations that she claimed harmed families and benefited political donors.
Notably, Governor-elect Hinojosa has acknowledged the effectiveness of policies implemented by President Donald Trump. NewsNation reported that she recognized that Trump administration policies substantially reduced illegal crossings. She specifically credited President Donald Trump for contributing to the decline in crossings, which sharply dropped under his administration. In contrast, encounters at the border repeatedly reached record levels under the Biden administration, placing significant pressure on Texas.
Hinojosa advocates for a different strategy centered on coordination. She believes that working collaboratively with Mexico and federal authorities can yield more effective results than some of the state-run enforcement measures implemented by Abbott. She cited a past international bridge closure as an example of this approach, where she contacted the Biden administration, leading federal officials to negotiate with Mexico.
During her campaign, Hinojosa was significantly outspent by Governor Abbott. Her platform heavily emphasized issues such as affordability, public education, and opposition to what she characterized as excessive corporate influence in state government. She proposed utilizing the state’s substantial budget reserves to issue one-time $1,500 payments to households and is also a proponent of Medicaid expansion.
The political landscape in Texas will require negotiation for Governor-elect Hinojosa. Republicans maintain control of the Texas Senate, meaning any proposed changes to border appropriations or Operation Lone Star will necessitate bipartisan agreement. As Hinojosa prepares to take office in January, she has yet to announce which specific components of Operation Lone Star she intends to maintain, modify, or eliminate.
