Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday that nine islands in the Rio Grande totaling about 66 acres are state property, clearing the way for law enforcement to access and monitor them along the Texas-Mexico border.
The Texas General Land Office said the determination resolves longstanding uncertainty over ownership that had limited the ability of state agencies to patrol the islands for border security purposes. Buckingham said the office reviewed historical records and surveys to confirm the islands belong to Texas. She notified the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department so officers and agents can use accurate coordinates for operations.
“Now that the GLO has confirmed these nine islands belong to the State of Texas, we are notifying our law enforcement partners so that they can gain access to these state-owned properties to patrol, inspect and clear them of any illegal activity they may encounter, consistent with the law,” Buckingham said in the announcement. She added that Texas land will not become a safe haven for cartels, human traffickers or smugglers.
🚨 Breaking News: Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., just announced that the GLO has identified nine islands along the Texas-Mexico border as property belonging to the State of Texas. This determination by the GLO confirms that these islands, totaling roughly 66 acres, are state-owned land and ensures that they can be appropriately accessed, monitored, and protected by @TxDPS and @TXMilitary. “Now that the GLO has confirmed these nine islands belong to the State of Texas, we are notifying our law enforcement partners so that they can gain access to these state-owned properties to patrol, inspect and clear them of any illegal activity they may encounter, consistent with the law. Texas land will never become a safe haven for cartels, human traffickers, smugglers, or other criminal organizations.” - Commissioner Buckingham Read more: https://t.co/NUvgfrybSs
— Texas General Land Office (@TXGLO) October 27, 2026
State officials have not confirmed any criminal activity on the nine islands. Buckingham pointed to past cases in which cartels used similar border islands for smuggling. In 2023, she declared Fronton Island in Starr County state land. The Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department later cleared vegetation there in an operation that officials said reduced activity at the site.
The nine islands were among 20 recently surveyed. Buckingham said the remaining 11 are likely Mexican property based on their location in the river. Mexican officials pushed back on Texas’ claim to the nine islands, according to NewsNation. The islands stretch along the Rio Grande from the Laredo area south toward McAllen.
Buckingham said the move takes the islands “off the map” for potential cartel use and expands Texas’ ability to secure its southern border. She is coordinating with state and federal partners to ensure agents operate with correct land information.
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