FRONTON ISLAND, Texas (Nexstar) — Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham will head to McAllen on Monday to discuss the acquisition of Fronton Island, a stretch of land in the Rio Grande River where the state recently seized operational control.
Fronton Island is a 170-acre area in Starr County. According to the Texas Military Department, the island in the Rio Grande was “lawless” and was associated with high cartel activity and smuggling operations involving “narcotics, weapons, money and high-value individuals.”
The General Land Office worked with the TMD throughout the fall to assume control of Fronton Island after Buckingham granted permission for the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers to police the area in September.
In a September letter to state leaders, Buckingham said her office determined the island is state-owned. The land was surveyed and found to be in a state-owned riverbed, formed due to natural forces. Her office permitted law enforcement to not only patrol the area but also manage the vegetation on the island.
“While the federal government refuses to safeguard Texas communities, the GLO will step up and assist our state in its robust border security efforts,” Buckingham wrote. “It is my hope that with access to this island, the GLO can aid our brave men and women on the frontlines of this ongoing border crisis in stemming the tide of this overflow of illegal immigration.”
TMD announced that Fronton Island was fully secured in early November. The land had been cleared of nearly all vegetation. TMD said the densely wooded area allowed transnational criminal activity to be concealed for decades.
In April 2023, Buckingham provided a similar authorization to assume control of islands near Eagle Pass, which has now become an area of federal dispute.
“The National Guard is relentless,” Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press conference in Eagle Pass on Thursday. “On a daily basis, they’re adding more razor wire barriers, more anti-climb barriers, and other ways to repel people from trying to enter illegally.”
Several Texas lawmakers attended the conference in Shelby Park where Abbott said what he views as successes of Operation Lone Star — his signature multi-billion dollar border security initiative.
“The results are amazing,” Abbott said. “If you look at what has changed with regard to illegal border crossings, and the past half year or so, you see that too even though Texas represents about two-thirds. We represent only about 30% of the crossings.”
Buckingham’s press conference in McAllen on Monday starts at 1:30 p.m. She will be joined by officials from DPS and TMD.