### Texas Offers Land for Potential Mass Deportations Under Trump Administration

Texas has put forth a proposal to utilize a segment of rural ranchland along the U.S.-Mexico border as a staging area for potential mass deportations planned by President-elect Donald Trump. The property, acquired by Texas in October, is situated in rural Starr County, within the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas Land Commissioner Republican Dawn Buckingham has been proactive in extending this offer to Trump, sending a letter on November 14. “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. We're here. We want to be helpful,” Buckingham informed The Associated Press.

The land in question lacks paved roads and is located in a county with limited local infrastructure, including only one public hospital. Despite these limitations, Buckingham emphasized its strategic location, noting its proximity to major airports and a bridge over the river. "We feel like this is actually very well-located. The land is very flat there. It's adjacent to major airports. It's also adjacent to a bridge over the river," Buckingham said.

This land offer underscores the sharp divide among states and local governments regarding Trump's proposed mass deportations of migrants residing in the U.S. illegally. For instance, the Los Angeles City Council decided on Tuesday to adopt "sanctuary" status, thereby restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Texas has a history of implementing stringent border control measures, such as building razor-wire barriers and enacting laws that permit the arrest of migrants crossing the border illegally. Buckingham confirmed this stance by saying, “By offering this newly-acquired 1400-acre property to the incoming Trump Administration for the construction of a facility for the processing, detention, and coordination of what will be the largest deportation of violent criminals in our nation's history, I stand united with President Donald Trump to ensure American families are protected.”

As Trump prepares to take office, he has vowed to initiate his deportation efforts immediately, linking the spike in unauthorized border crossings to various social issues. "On day one, President Trump will marshal every lever of power to secure the border, protect their communities, and launch the largest mass deportation operation of illegal immigrant criminals in history," said Karoline Leavitt, the transition spokeswoman for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Although the Texas General Land Office has not disclosed the purchase price of the land, Buckingham mentioned that the previous owner opposed the border wall's construction. Under Republican Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, a 1.5-mile segment of the border wall was constructed on this land. The state has recently created another easement to facilitate further border wall construction with the new acquisition.