Texas stakes claim to nine border islands after General Land Office review

The Texas General Land Office says nine islands along the Texas-Mexico border, totaling about 66 acres, belong to the state. The determination could allow state law enforcement agencies to access and patrol them.

Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the GLO reviewed historical records, surveys, and other information to determine ownership.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection had questions about 28 islands within the Rio Grande that were previously considered unclaimed or whose ownership had not been established, and the GLO identified nine as Texas land.

The islands are spread along the Rio Grande from the Laredo area south toward McAllen, according to a map released by the agency.

The GLO says it is coordinating with state and federal law enforcement partners to provide the islands’ coordinates.

In a letter to the agencies, Buckingham told the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department that they may access the state-owned land for border security operations.

Buckingham said ownership had been uncertain for years, limiting the state’s ability to monitor and protect the properties. She said the islands could be patrolled and inspected for illegal activity, consistent with the law.

The GLO said it has not confirmed criminal activity on these nine islands.

Buckingham cited the state’s experience on Fronton Island, where Texas declared 170 acres to be state land in 2023. State agencies later cleared vegetation there through Operation Flat Top.

News 4 San Antonio reported in 2023 that the state had designated three Rio Grande islands for border security efforts, including Fronton Island.

At the time, the GLO said historical maps showed the islands were part of Texas, while federal officials were still reviewing land records to verify ownership.

As Texas Land Commissioner, I have a responsibility to protect every acre of state land entrusted to the General Land Office. For years, the ownership of these islands has been uncertain, limiting the ability to ensure they are properly monitored and protected,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “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.