Texas Requests Federal Support to Secure Cartel-Linked Islands in Rio Grande
Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham formally asks the Trump administration to aid in securing Beaver Island and the Roma Islands, newly claimed as sovereign Texas territory.
- Texas has officially claimed Beaver Island and the Roma Islands along the Rio Grande, previously used by Mexican cartels for smuggling and illegal activities.
- The Texas General Land Office determined the islands to be of sovereign status, enabling American law enforcement operations.
- Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has requested federal assistance to clear vegetation, install razor wire, and establish operational control over the islands.
- The Roma Islands have been described as a 'smuggler's paradise,' with cartels using them to stash weapons, drugs, and people.
- This move builds on Texas' broader border security efforts, including Operation Lone Star, and highlights state-federal collaboration to combat cross-border crime.