Austin — Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. authorized the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas Rangers access to Fronton Island in the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, for the purpose of policing and patrolling.

“It is my commitment to Texans to do everything in my power to gain complete operational control of the southern border and protect our state from this influx of out-of-control illegal immigration,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “While the federal government refuses to safeguard Texas communities, the General Land Office will step up and assist our state in its robust border security efforts.”

Based on the records from the General Land Office (GLO), the agency has determined that Fronton Island is state-owned land; and therefore, will provide Texas law enforcement access to this island, which includes vegetation management, provided compliance is upheld with all applicable state and federal regulations.

Fronton Island has served as a hot spot for drug and human trafficking and dangerous cartel activity in the past couple of months. This more than 170-acre island is the latest state-owned island the GLO has allowed DPS to police and patrol in order to stem the flow of illegal immigration and various unlawful, dangerous cartel activities. Earlier this year, the GLO granted law enforcement access to two islands located in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Read the letter from Commissioner Buckingham granting access to Texas law enforcement, here.

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