Texas Border: State Offers Trump More Land for "Migrant Deportation Centers"
Some fully built-out options also exist for immediate use across the Lone Star State
Texas made headlines last week when it offered 1,402 acres it recently purchased along the Rio Grande border with Mexico (for state expansion of the "Border Wall") to the incoming Trump Administration for construction of a "Mass Deportation Facility."
That was quickly accepted by President-Elect Trump's "Border Czar" designee Tom Homan - and on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham said the state hopes to increase that offer “to include state-owned land the General Land Office has identified in El Paso and elsewhere in Texas for the critical task of deporting violent, criminal illegal immigrants from our country.”
“President Trump and Mr. Homan, I meant it when I said that I will do everything in my power to help this administration and that is why I am announcing our offer has extended beyond this property. Should you need land for a facility elsewhere in the state for the deportation of violent criminals, my office has identified several of our properties and is standing by, ready to make this happen on day one of his presidency.” -Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham
But time would still be required for construction - and Homan has promised action on "day one." With Trump’s “Border Czar” needing bed space immediately - let's look at some built-out options available in Texas now:
Dalby Correctional Facility:
The Giles W. Dalby Correctional Institution was a privately operated prison near Lubbock - that could house up to 1,776 inmates - until it closed in September of this year. Although the facility had a troubled past (it lost a major contract to house prisoners from Fort Worth after failing a state jail inspection) it's owned by Garza County and could reopen fairly quickly if the Trump administration came calling.
Outside Texas, other closed prison facilities might also be candidates for reopening. Homan has said he will "prioritize" those in the country illegally who have criminal records, so secure jail facilities might be a better option for many of those initially taken into custody.
South Texas Family Residential Center:
The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley was scheduled for closure during the Biden Administration - and it will be interesting to see whether President-Elect Trump nixes that. This migrant detention center has the most detainees of any U.S. facility. It can house up to 2,400 adults & children in a minimum security setting on 55 acres.
On average, ICE is currently detaining 37,000 migrants per day - a 140% increase from when Trump left office. ICE uses more than 190 different facilities for detention across more than 40 states and U.S. territories.
The states with the most people detained by ICE are Texas, Louisiana, California, Arizona, and Georgia. Almost all are at capacity, so Trump's Border Czar will need additional space if he begins a large arrest program "on day one."
Of all the states in which ICE houses prisoners, Texas - by far - houses the most. And - with an offer from the state of 1,400+ acres on the Texas border for construction of a new ICE "Mass Deportation Facility" - the state appears likely to soon house even more.
Do you support the construction of a "Mass Deportation Facility" on the Texas-Mexico Border?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
