Former ICE Director Tom Homan, appointed as border czar by President-elect Trump, has confirmed plans to utilize a 1,400-acre plot of land in Texas for a large-scale deportation operation. The land, located in Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley sector, was offered by the state of Texas to the incoming administration. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham stated that her office is ready to finalize an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, allowing for the construction of a facility dedicated to processing, detaining, and coordinating the deportation of individuals deemed violent criminals. Homan expressed his gratitude for the offer, noting it streamlines the process and avoids the usual delays and inflated costs associated with government land acquisitions. He is currently developing a plan for the facility's operation, which will involve the temporary housing of individuals awaiting deportation flights.
This image shows drone footage from a ranch in Starr County. (Texas General Land Office)
Thomas Homan was announced as President-elect Trump's pick to oversee the incoming administration's deportation operations. (Reuters)
Buckingham emphasized her commitment to border security and expressed hope that this initiative will contribute to public safety. The land was originally purchased by the Texas General Land Office in October for border wall construction, a project halted by the Biden administration. The area, formerly a ranch, had been a known route for drug and human trafficking. While Texas supports the deportation operation, other states, including Arizona, Illinois, and California, have indicated they will not cooperate with the federal government's efforts.
