The Texas government’s proposal under Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham to use state land for migrant deportation centers highlights the complexities of immigration policy.
At a Glance
- Texas offers 1,400-acre borderland for Trump’s deportation centers
- Proposal named the “Jocelyn Initiative” after a slain girl
- Involves U.S. military for supportive roles
- Seeks federal reimbursement for border security spending
Texas’s Offer to Trump
Texas proposed a 1,400-acre site in Starr County as a potential location for mass deportation centers under President-elect Donald Trump. The property, purchased recently, is located strategically near airports and a river bridge, despite lacking paved roads and local resources. This initiative, called the “Jocelyn Initiative,” memorializes a girl allegedly killed by illegal immigrants and aims to expedite deportations, especially of violent criminals.
The proposal seeks to align with Trump’s immigration plan, where mass deportations would begin immediately upon his presidency. Although the Trump transition team has not formally accepted the offer, Texas remains hopeful. Land Commissioner Buckingham stated, “We do hear through back channels that they are taking a look at it and considering it. But we just want them to know we’re a good partner.”
The @TXGLO will do its part to protect our country from violent illegal immigrants.
Soon, the Trump Administration will initiate the largest mass deportation operation in our nation's history.
Commissioner Buckingham is offering President-elect Trump more than 1,400 acres of… pic.twitter.com/KYEcJnMoHp
— Texas General Land Office (@TXGLO) November 24, 2024
Strategic Importance and Challenges
The land’s location in the Rio Grande Valley plays a critical role in this proposal. Despite geographic advantages, Texas faces challenges such as a lack of paved roads and resources locally. Texas General Land Office did not disclose the purchase price of the land, which has previously resisted border wall constructions. The state has spent $10 billion securing its border under the Biden administration, making federal reimbursement a critical component of the initiative.
Texas plans to work with federal authorities, potentially involving military support for non-enforcement roles. This multi-faceted approach underscores the significant investment both financially and logistically the state is making toward border security. The assurance of federal cooperation remains paramount as the debate over the proposal’s funding, design, and legality is expected to intensify.
Today, Commissioner Buckingham sent a letter to the incoming Trump Administration offering over 1,400 acres of state land owned by the @TXGLO to aid his administration's deportation plans beginning in 2025.
We're offering this land for the construction of deportation facilities… pic.twitter.com/R06AA7Ku8S
— Texas General Land Office (@TXGLO) November 20, 2024
Political Implications and Future Moves
The initiative vividly illustrates the ongoing political divide between Republican-led states like Texas and Democratic-led counterparts who vow non-cooperation. Representative Chip Roy and other Texas GOP officials aim to secure federal funds for its border expenditures. Buckingham announced an expansion of the offer, providing more land ready for use “on Day One” of Trump’s presidency.
The facility aims to prevent tragedies like the one experienced by Jocelyn Nungaray’s family, with her grandmother stating, “We’re taking back hope so that no other families go through what we have.” The state remains ready to support Trump’s mass deportation efforts, which will require identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants across the United States.
Sources:
- Texas offers Trump land on US-Mexico border for potential mass deportations
- Texas offers even more land to Trump to build migrant deportation centers: ‘We’re taking back our peace’
