In a significant move to bolster immigration enforcement, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has offered a 1,402-acre plot in Starr County to President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration for the construction of deportation facilities. This initiative aims to support what is described as the largest deportation of violent criminals in U.S. history.
The proposed site, located approximately 35 miles west of McAllen, Texas, was recently acquired by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Within 24 hours of the October 23 purchase, Commissioner Buckingham approved a 7,681-foot border wall easement across the property, underscoring the state’s commitment to border security.
This offer aligns with President-elect Trump’s plans to mobilize various U.S. government agencies to enforce deportations and pressure sanctuary jurisdictions. With 13 million acres of state lands under its management, the GLO has been actively involved in border security efforts, such as “Operation Flat Top,” which secured a 170-acre island in the Rio Grande that state officials had previously referred to as “the most dangerous part of the Texas border.”
In anticipation of a potential surge in migrant crossings before Trump’s inauguration, Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande. Additionally, the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety are conducting joint exercises along the southern border to prepare for increased illegal border crossings.
These proactive measures reflect Texas’s readiness to support federal efforts in immigration enforcement and border security, highlighting the state’s commitment to addressing challenges associated with illegal immigration.
