The State of Texas has offered over 1,400 acres of land in Starr County to the federal government as part of the Trump administration's plans to ramp up border enforcement and stage a mass deportation effort. The offer, made by Texas General Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham in a formal letter to former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, is intended to support the administration’s intended crackdown on illegal immigration, with a particular focus on foreign nationals with criminal records.
In her letter, Buckingham outlined that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) currently owns a 1,402-acre tract of land located approximately 35 miles west of McAllen, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Buckingham made it clear that her office is prepared to facilitate an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or the U.S. Border Patrol to construct a facility for processing, detention, and coordination of mass deportation efforts.
“The Texas General Land Office currently owns a 1,402-acre tract roughly 35 miles west of McAllen,” Buckingham wrote. “My office is fully prepared to enter into an agreement with DHS, ICE, or the U.S. Border Patrol to allow a facility to be built for the processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nation’s history.”
This move signals a new chapter in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, with a particular focus on deporting foreign nationals who have entered the U.S. illegally and committed crimes beyond immigration violations. As part of this effort, Trump and his team, including expected Border Czar Tom Homan, have emphasized their intention to carry out mass deportations of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Buckingham, who has been a vocal advocate for tougher border policies, also highlighted her recent acquisition of the 1,402-acre property, which she referred to as a vital piece of land in Texas’ ongoing efforts to secure its southern border. The land, located near Rio Grande City, was purchased on October 23, 2024. Buckingham noted that she acted quickly to ensure the land could be used for border security efforts, issuing a 7,681-foot-long easement across the property to allow for the construction of the Texas border wall.
“The previous owner had refused to allow the wall to be built and actively blocked law enforcement from accessing the property,” Buckingham wrote. “Her actions enabled cartel members and violent criminals to sexually abuse migrant women and children on this land for some time.”
The move to offer the land to the federal government comes as Texas has become a battleground for border security policies. In recent years, securing the border has been a top priority for Texas voters, often polling higher than economic concerns. In Starr County, located along the Texas-Mexico border, the issue of border security has been a focal point of local politics. The county, which had historically leaned Democratic, voted Republican for the first time in over a century in the 2024 elections, spurred in part by rising concerns over illegal immigration and border security.
Buckingham’s actions also come on the heels of her office’s controversial decision to seize Fronton Island, a piece of land along the Rio Grande that had been overtaken by Mexican cartel activity. The decision led to a clash with the Biden administration but is expected to be less contentious once the Trump administration returns to office in January 2025.
As the Trump administration prepares to return to power, the emphasis on mass deportation and stricter border control measures is likely to intensify. With the Biden administration facing ongoing criticism for its handling of the border crisis, the incoming Republican leadership is poised to make border security a cornerstone of its policy agenda.
The offer of land in Starr County, combined with the broader push for stronger border enforcement, underscores the central role that immigration and border security will continue to play in American politics, particularly in Texas, where the issue remains a dominant concern for voters.
Key Points:
The State of Texas has offered 1,402 acres of land to the federal government for a facility related to mass deportation efforts.
Texas General Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham made the offer in a letter to Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The land is located in Starr County, near McAllen, along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The offer supports Trump’s plans to deport foreign nationals with criminal backgrounds.
Buckingham has been active in securing land for border security, including her recent acquisition of the property and the issuance of an easement for the Texas border wall.
