Trump Offered Massive Texas Ranch for Controversial Government Plan

Texas buys 1,400-acre ranch along US-Mexico border, offering it to Trump administration for mass deportation facilities.

At a Glance

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham purchased a 1,402-acre ranch near Rio Grande City.
The land is offered to the Trump administration for building deportation facilities.
An easement was granted for border wall construction.
The move aligns with Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations.
Legal experts question the feasibility of broad deportations under existing laws.

Texas Offers Expansive Border Property for Deportation Facilities

In a bold move supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, the Texas General Land Office has offered a 1,402-acre ranch in Starr County for the construction of detention centers. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who orchestrated the purchase, has expressed full support for the incoming administration’s plans to implement large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants.

The property, located along the US-Mexico border near Rio Grande City, is nearly twice the size of New York City’s Central Park. This strategic acquisition not only provides ample space for potential deportation facilities but also includes an easement for the construction of a border wall, further cementing Texas’s commitment to enhanced border security measures.

In a letter to President-elect Trump, the Texas General Land Office offered up a 1,400-acre ranch to aid in the incoming administration's deportation plans. Here are the full details. https://t.co/HO50R9yrjP

— WFAA (@wfaa) November 20, 2024

Collaboration Between State and Federal Authorities

Commissioner Buckingham has made it clear that her office is prepared to work closely with federal agencies to facilitate the construction of a detention center. This collaboration underscores the alignment between state and federal objectives in addressing immigration enforcement.

“My office is fully prepared to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or the United States 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.” – Dawn Buckingham

The commissioner also highlighted that the previous landowner had been uncooperative with border security efforts, stating, “The previous owner had refused to allow the wall to be built and actively blocked law enforcement from accessing the property.” This change in ownership is expected to remove obstacles to implementing stricter border control measures.

Trump’s Mass Deportation Plans and Legal Challenges

The offer of land for deportation facilities aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to implement mass deportations. The president-elect has mentioned “Operation Aurora,” targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, and has suggested using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to facilitate deportations. However, legal experts have raised doubts about the applicability of this act for broad deportations as described by Trump.

While Texas officials express strong support for these plans, legal and immigration experts disagree with framing immigration as an “invasion.” They argue that the Alien Enemies Act is intended for situations involving threats or invasions by foreign governments, not for general deportations. This discrepancy between political rhetoric and legal realities may present challenges to implementing such sweeping measures.

As the transition to the new administration progresses, the offer of this expansive property for deportation facilities represents a significant step in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and enforcement in the United States. The coming months will likely see further developments as federal and state authorities work to align their strategies and navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding immigration issues.