(Daily Caller)—In July of this past summer, U.S. border arrests of illegal aliens along the Mexican border surged to 132,648, up from 99,543 during the previous month.
The news was so bad that the federal government appears to have delayed the release of the numbers until late Friday afternoon, Aug. 18, when fewer people would be paying attention.
This is a nice microcosm of the way the Biden administration and even, sadly, the Texas governor deal with America’s border crisis. Bury the news. Pretend things are fine. Lie, obfuscate, etc.
As a public relations strategy, this might work for a while. But sooner or later, the ruling class cannot hide the reality of the problem. We are now at this point in Texas where the hard dollar costs of illegal immigration can no longer be hidden.
The Huffines Liberty Foundation, in a newly published report on the cost of illegal immigration, estimates that the cost of educating illegal aliens in Texas public schools was $6.6 billion for the 2022-23 school year. Texas’ border security costs are about $2.6 billion, while criminal justice costs run about $1.7 billion.
These costs make it clear that the lack of control of the Texas-Mexico border by both the federal and Texas governments must be addressed.
But they must be addressed at the root cause, and this first requires a clear-sighted understanding of the issue. According to Todd Bensman with the Center for Immigration Studies, the surge of illegal crossings in the last few years has been caused by illegal aliens who “pulled the trigger on crossing journeys in direct response to immigration-related policies and court rulings that they realized were advantageous.”
It is important to pause here and note that the primary cause of our border woes is not external.
Yes, Mexico is a failed state and does nothing to stop border crossings. Yes, people are always in search of a better life and look toward America. All this is true. But none of it would be considered by the illegal alien if the United States did not take such great pains to financially accommodate those people that make it over.
The United States government under the Biden administration has essentially eliminated robust security across our national border, making the final leg of an illegal alien’s difficult journey much easier. But it’s really the benefits of living in America that are exerting the gravitational pull.
Indeed, most of the benefits illegal aliens take advantage of in the United States come from the government in the form of services and welfare. The costs of these add up very quickly (see the above and our report) for Texas taxpayers who, because they live in a border state, bear a disproportionate amount of these costs.
Education, border security and criminal justice, and medical and welfare. In each of these categories, we can track the ballooning of state expenditures on account of illegal immigration.
And in each category, the financial cost has a yearly increase. For instance, in the 2013-14 school year, we estimated the cost of educating illegal aliens in Texas public schools was around $3.5 billion. For the 2022-23 school year, we are at $6.6 billion.
These numbers, like those faced by our welfare apparatus, medical systems — your name it — will never, ever decrease. If the federal government wants illegal aliens educated, they should foot the cost. Why, indeed, does this rest on the shoulder of Lone Star residents but not on that of, say, non-border states?
The only way it ends is by securing our border. Sadly, despite spending over $2 billion a year on “border security,” the state of Texas has done little in the way of securing anything.
If we want the insane burden of these social expenditures to lift, we must start with reestablishing and securing the national border between the United States and Mexico, particularly in Texas.
This ultimately means, however, that the people of Texas need to rethink and reestablish the kinds of leaders who can make this happen.
Don Huffines was a former Texas State Senator from 2015-2019. He is the founder of the Huffines Liberty Foundation, a non-profit devoted to advancing the cause of liberty in the State of Texas and educate citizens to hold their elected officials accountable.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.