The state of Texas is contemplating the idea of purchasing land along the border of Mexico to be used for immigrant detention centers ahead of the incoming Trump administration to help facilitate the mass deportation of illegal migrants.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham purchased a plot of land running along the Rio Grande and reports claim they’re offering the land to the incoming Trump administration to help the immigration crisis. NBC News reported Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott spoke with President-elect Trump and his newly appointed “border czar,” Tom Homan, regarding the future of the acquired land and the potential use of the military to help transport the illegal migrants to the detention center awaiting deportation.
NBC News reported, “In order to use the property, the incoming Trump administration could declare a national emergency, which would divert funds to build infrastructure and fund troops assigned to a border mission. The work could be done by the National Guard or active-duty military, the source said, and facilities could be soft-sided structures such as tents that could be quickly assembled.”
Gov. Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, told NBC News that the governor is in “regular communication with the incoming Trump administration on effective strategies to secure the border.”
“Texas has held the line against the Biden-Harris border crisis for the past four years, and the Governor looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Trump and Border Czar Homan to protect our state and the nation,” he said.
Tom Homan recently stated that in order to carry out the Trump immigration policies, illegal migrants would need to be sent to deportation facilities as they wait for transportation out of the United States.
Buckingham was able to purchase the 1,402-acre parcel along the Rio Grande for $3.8 million a month before Trump won his reelection.
(Video Credit: CBS News Texas)
According to NBC News, “Buckingham’s office has been buying land near the border for the purpose of building a wall. A spokesperson said it will complete a 1.5-mile border wall on the new property this week,” noting that the Texas Land Commission owns almost 13 million acres of land.
“We’ve identified some pieces that we think might be helpful to them, but of course, we will partner with the Trump administration for whatever they need,” said Buckingham. “I think from the detention and deportation standpoint, we probably need some more urban pieces, which we do have.”
Tom Homan recently toured the Texas border with the governor and commended his efforts to secure his state. “Governor Abbott has done an amazing job of immigration in Texas down 86%… 86% think about that. This is a model we can take across the country. We will help Governor Abbott finish the job he started,” he said. “This is a model we can take across the country, unprecedented success in Texas.”