Arizona’s Costly Border Wall and Federal Reimbursement Prospects
In a dramatic financial move, Arizona expended a significant $196 million on a border barrier in 2022, stacking 2,200 shipping containers. This expenditure included both the construction and the dismantling of the wall within a span of five months.
Recently, the House Republicans sanctioned a substantial $12 billion budget to reimburse states for their border security expenses incurred during President Joe Biden’s term. This decision opens up possibilities for Arizona to reclaim a portion of the funds invested in the temporary structure erected by former Governor Doug Ducey.
States across the political spectrum have expressed dissatisfaction over bearing the expenses for border security, attributing it to what they perceive as insufficient federal measures under Biden’s leadership.
Succeeding Ducey, Governor Katie Hobbs sent a request in late 2023 to her Democratic counterpart, seeking $513 million to cover Arizona’s border security expenses since Biden assumed office. The request highlighted the ongoing financial burden on the state.
Dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill” by President Donald Trump and House Republicans, the $12 billion reimbursement plan was narrowly approved in the House with a vote of 215-214, lacking any Democratic support.
The distribution method of these funds remains unspecified, leaving the task to the Department of Homeland Security to decide how Arizona and other states will receive compensation. The states are expected to submit claims for expenses dating from January 21, 2021, the day after Biden’s presidential inauguration.
Texas, having spent over $11 billion, is anticipated to be a major recipient of these funds. Ducey initiated Arizona’s border wall project in August 2022 to fill gaps left in the wall from Trump’s first term, a project halted under Biden’s administration.
Contractors stacked 40-foot shipping containers in strategic areas, such as Yuma and Cochise counties, and near Nogales. The installation gained attention when a Univision reporter captured images of overturned containers near Yuma shortly after the governor announced the closure of a gap.
Federal agencies, including the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, challenged Arizona’s use of federal lands without authorization. The Justice Department eventually intervened legally, leading to Ducey’s agreement in December 2022, just weeks before leaving office, to dismantle the barrier. Additionally, the state compensated the Forest Service $2.1 million for environmental restoration.
Governor Hobbs’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding the House bill and the potential for federal reimbursement.
Six Republican representatives from Arizona backed the bill, though Rep. David Schweikert was notably absent during the vote, which took place following a rare overnight session.
The extensive bill, exceeding 1,000 pages, includes other significant provisions such as extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, altering Medicaid work requirements, reducing food stamp allocations, and allocating $5 billion for border security and deportation efforts.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott and other officials have consistently criticized Biden for what they deem as inadequate border security measures. Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star two months into Biden’s presidency, deploying state troopers and the National Guard, and introduced barriers like razor wire and buoys along the Rio Grande.
Texas House Republicans, including Rep. Chip Roy, who played a crucial role in securing the reimbursement clause, were staunch advocates for the bill. Senator John Cornyn praised the bill, stating, “The state of Texas spent more than $11 billion taxpayer dollars to protect and defend the southern border in the Biden administration’s absence.”
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
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