As President-elect Donald Trump gears up for his return to the White House, Texas officials have stepped forward with an offer to aid his ambitious immigration agenda.
In a significant gesture of support, the Texas General Land Office has proposed a 1,402-acre property in Starr County as a site for Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
Dawn Buckingham, the state’s land commissioner, announced the proposal in a letter to Trump on Tuesday, signaling Texas’ readiness to collaborate with federal agencies to secure the southern border.
“I am committed to using every available means at my disposal to gain complete operational security of our border,” Buckingham wrote.
The property, located about 35 miles west of McAllen, Texas, was acquired by the state last month and lies strategically along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Buckingham has proposed that the land be developed into a processing and detention facility, describing it as central to carrying out “the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nation’s history.”
The site could serve as a hub for collaboration between agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Buckingham criticized her predecessor for failing to utilize the property for border security, claiming that the lack of action allowed criminal elements to exploit the area.
She alleged that the land had become a conduit for cartel activities, including the trafficking and abuse of migrants.
Trump has vowed to declare a national emergency to address immigration issues upon his return to office.
While Texas is rallying to support Trump’s initiative, other states and cities are taking a sharply different approach.
On the same day Buckingham sent her letter, the Los Angeles City Council approved a “sanctuary city” ordinance to protect undocumented migrants within its jurisdiction.
Sanctuary cities refuse full cooperation with federal detention requests, a stance that has drawn fierce criticism from conservatives who view such policies as undermining the rule of law.
Some critics also question the feasibility and legality of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, setting the stage for contentious debates as Trump prepares to take office.
The rule of law of states in this mass removal of illegal aliens should be superceded by the federal law. Take these states to court. And if they insist on keeping the illegals, cut the federal funds to all of them. I hate the fact that state leaders are costing their citizens daily to give anything to these criminals. Come to the US legally or do not come at all. All of them are criminals. Deport them and vote out these morons who will defy the president on our dime! And also put all the illegals who came on a list if they took our money to spend while here as NEVER to be allowed to return. We do not intend to support anyone who comes here as dependents.
Also the current welfare system is flawed as well. How many single women with kids are having babies to get more money? And where are the dads? That little game needs to be ended as well! I see couples who are milking that process and none if this is right. We are paying for a lifestyle that is milking the other part of the country that is not playing the welfare game. Time to get a grip on that expenditure. It is becoming a life style not a temporary aid thing!