Trump’s transition officials are exploring construction options immigration detention facilities A tract of land along the Rio Grande was recently purchased by the state of Texas, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke last week with President-elect Donald Trump’s future “border czar,” Tom Homan. About using military resources and building facilities to help land migrants, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
In order to use the property, the incoming Trump administration could declare a national emergency, which would direct funds to build infrastructure and fund troops assigned to the border mission. The work could be carried out by the National Guard or active-duty military, and the facilities could be soft-sided structures such as pop-up tents, the source said.
Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, did not respond to specific questions about the land, but said the governor’s office is in “regular communication with the incoming Trump Administration about 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 nation,” he said.
Trump’s transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
There is Trump promised to deport millions of immigrants those who are in the country illegally. His incoming administration is looking to make that possible to dramatically expand the number of detention centers It would detain immigrants before they are deported from the United States
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham bought 1,402 acres on the Rio Grande for $3.8 million on Oct. 23 and has offered to lease it to the incoming Trump administration as a site for mass deportation facilities, according to her office.
Buckingham’s office buys land near the border to build a wall. A spokesman said he would complete a 1.5-mile border wall on the new property this week.
A representative of the Starr County, Texas, permit office said it has not received any new permit applications to build structures on the property.
Buckingham told the NBC News affiliate WOAI His agency said last week that it has additional land around the state that could support deportation efforts. His office now has an area of 13 million hectares soil.
“We’ve identified some pieces that we think might be helpful for them, but of course we’ll work with the Trump administration on whatever they need,” Buckingham said.
In addition to the area near the Rio Grande, there may be urban sites, Buckingham said. “I think from an incarceration and deportation standpoint, we probably need more of the urban pieces that we have,” he said.
In late October, Buckingham purchased more than 350,000 acres near Big Bend National Park. The property, called Brewster Ranch, located near the town of La Grulla, has some frontage on the Rio Grande and has been on the market for over a year.
The seller was in talks with Texas Parks and Wildlife, the National Park Service and national conservation organizations, but the Texas General Land Office was the only agency with the money to make it happen, according to James King, the property’s broker.
King said the land was sold by the seller without any conservation restrictions.
Brewster County Senior Judge Greg Hennington said the land is so vast that it doesn’t make sense to put deportation options on the property. He said that he believes that the state intends to restore the area for ecotourism.
Kimberly Hubbard, a spokeswoman for the Texas General Land Office, confirmed that the land will likely not be used for immigrant detention centers.
“Although this land has a border security component, it will not be part of this initiative as the area will not be suitable for this type of area. [deportation] “However, Commissioner Buckingham is committed to working with the Trump Administration to achieve full operational control of our southern border, and he is pleased to serve as a good partner.”