Texas Expands Land Offer to Trump for Massive Deportation Operations

Texas officials made significant announcements in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday, showcasing their readiness to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration on immigration enforcement. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham revealed that the state is prepared to make additional land available for mass deportation facilities, with her office actively identifying suitable properties for when President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.

During a visit to service members engaged in Operation Lone Star, Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the state’s commitment to federal immigration efforts. “There’s help on the way,” Abbott told members of the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He reinforced the message of cooperation, stating, “The cavalry is here, quite literally with us here today,” before introducing Tom Homan, appointed by Trump to lead immigration enforcement.

Homan assured Texas servicemen and women of federal support, conveying hopes that Operation Lone Star would receive enough assistance so that some could return home to their families. He indicated that an interior enforcement operation encompassing mass deportations was on the horizon.

On the ground, Buckingham began her day at a 1,402-acre ranch in Starr County, offered to the incoming administration for the potential establishment of a deportation facility. The state is also undertaking the construction of a border wall in the area. “We have 13 million acres around the state, and if there’s something that meets the federal government’s needs, we want them to be able to utilize that,” Buckingham stated, acknowledging the broader implications of the state’s plan.

The day also marked the launch of “Jocelyn’s Initiative,” named after 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was tragically killed by illegal immigrants. During a news conference, Buckingham noted that the initiative aims to spare other families from similar grief. “Our goal is to ensure that no other parent has to, unfortunately, experience what Alexis has experienced,” she emphasized alongside Jocelyn’s family.

Starr County, with a population of approximately 65,934, is significantly smaller than neighboring Hidalgo County, characterized by expansive undeveloped land. The unique geographical features include hills that rise above the flat terrain common in the region. The Texas General Land Office recently acquired 1,400 acres in this area and is prepared to lease it for federal purposes, as outlined in a letter to Trump. Buckingham’s correspondence expressed the office’s readiness to facilitate the development of facilities for large-scale deportations.

Currently, the land is leased to a farmer cultivating green onions. However, potential flooding concerns were raised by Jason Smalley, a land office manager. He cautioned that any facility would likely need to be built closer to Farm-to-Market Road 1430 to mitigate the risk of inundation, especially during heavy rains.

Immigration detention facilities are not new to the Valley. The Ursula Central Processing Center in McAllen gained notoriety for its harsh conditions, which led to its local nickname “la heilera” or “icebox.” Recent renovations included the removal of chain-link fencing, and while the primary purpose of those facilities has been to process incoming migrants, any proposed facility in Starr County would uniquely focus on processing deportations.