McALLEN, Texas: Texas has offered 1,400 acres of state-owned land in Starr County for the construction of deportation facilities as part of President-Elect Donald Trump’s plan to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. The land was originally acquired by Texas for a border wall, but it is now proposed for housing immigrants awaiting deportation.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham stated the state is eager to support federal efforts to secure the border, offering the land to help with the logistical challenges of Trump’s proposed mass deportation program.
While the offer remains on the table, it is unclear whether the Trump administration will accept this proposal. Buckingham emphasized the state’s desire to help, though she mentioned that the arrangement could be structured as a land-lease, rather than transferring ownership.
The land, located near the Rio Grande River, is currently used for farming but has been the site of alleged criminal activities linked to cartels. Buckingham’s letter to Trump highlights these security concerns while reaffirming Texas’s commitment to assisting the federal government with border control efforts.
