State Party Asks for Legislation in Special Session to Address Colony Ridge Illegals Settlement
September 26, 2023 | Corpus Christi, Texas
The State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) voted unanimously this weekend on a resolution calling for Governor Greg Abbott to add legislation to the next special session “to prevent further settlement of illegal aliens in Colony Ridge and any other areas of Texas.”
The resolution also calls on Attorney General Ken Paxton to initiate a full investigation into the development activities of Colony Ridge Land, LLC, and its possible connections to elected officials in the region.
SREC member Gwen Withrow (SD 4), who serves on the State Party Resolutions Committee, explained that border issues are a major threat to the security of our country, state, and county. “I felt this resolution was important to pass and distribute immediately and joined my fellow SREC members in passing this important statement from the State Party.”
Withrow also serves as Precinct 72 Chair in Montgomery County and is a candidate for Montgomery County GOP Chair in the 2024 Primary Election.
Full Text of the Resolution
WHEREAS, the development of Colony Ridge near Plum Grove in Liberty County, Texas has grown to an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 inhabitants and spans over 60 square miles; and
WHEREAS, plots of land in this neighborhood are advertised in Spanish through international communication channels, and the developer allows for illegal aliens to obtain loans to purchase land using Individual Tax ID Numbers (ITINs) instead of Social Security Numbers; and
WHEREAS, according to an investigation by the Daily Wire, law enforcement presence is thin in this area, attracting not only illegal aliens who wish to evade immigration authorities, but also significant cartel and drug activity, including the Gulf and Sinaloa cartels which are reported to have purchased land in the early stages of the development in order to set up safe houses in the area; and
WHEREAS, despite the challenges posed to the community by illegal alien settlements and the cartel activity that follows them, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office does not check immigration status in routine stops because, according to the office, it “would take forever”; and
WHEREAS, Cleveland ISD is required to educate illegal alien students who arrive in the district, and this has resulted in an unmanageable amount of growth for the district, causing enrollment to increase from 6,584 students to 12,400 over the course of four years; and
WHEREAS, Cleveland ISD has had to build several new schools and is reported to be hiring H-1B visa holders due to the number of foreign language teachers needed to keep pace with enrollment; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas asks for legislation to be added to the upcoming special session call, or to a subsequent special session, to prevent further settlement of illegal aliens in Colony Ridge and any other areas of Texas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas recognizes and supports the efforts of Congressman Brian Babin, who represents Liberty County, for his role in drawing attention to this crisis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls on Attorney General Ken Paxton to initiate a full investigation into the development activities of Colony Ridge Land, LLC, and its possible connections to elected officials in the region.
Largest Illegal Alien Community in America
According to Todd Bensman, Fellow with the Center for Immigration Studies, Colony Ridge is considered by many to be the “largest illegal alien community in America,” with “an estimated 75,000 mostly illegal aliens.”
The resolution points to a recent investigation by the Daily Wire showing that law enforcement presence is thin in the Colony Ridge area, “attracting not only illegal aliens who wish to evade immigration authorities, but also significant cartel and drug activity, including the Gulf and Sinaloa cartels which are reported to have purchased land in the early stages of the development in order to set up safe houses in the area.”
On the September 19 Michael Berry Show, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said that he plans to ask Governor Abbott to address concerns about Colony Ridge in a special session. “We can’t have entire cities of people who are here illegally with basically no law enforcement, in some cases I’m told no running water, it’s a very dangerous place to be. This is not what America was built on. This massive complex of people here illegally creating their own city north of Houston, its just unacceptable,” he said.
Texas Scorecard reports that “Colony Ridge is known for its dealings and associations with Gulf and Sinaloa cartels” and that the “massive influx of children” is putting extreme pressure on local school districts.
East County Town Hall Addresses Colony Ridge Issues
The Montgomery County Republican Party held a Town Hall meeting on August 24 in New Caney to address law enforcement issues spilling over into East Montgomery County from neighboring Liberty County as a result of the Colony Ridge settlement, and other public safety issues.
Town Hall panelists included Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray, Captain Melvin Franklin of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Barry Welch of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, and SFC (RET) Walter West II of Texas Fully Loaded.
Walter West provided an update on border security. West has more than 10 years direct border experience, currently serving as Chief of Legislative Affairs and Government Contractor with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Lead Consultant to Texas Transnational Trafficking Task Force. He encouraged Montgomery County to declare a border invasion, stating:
“Counties that declare an invasion are able to receive grant monies from the state, which helps with additional law enforcement. With cartels operating in Texas, that’s something we all need to be concerned about.”
Take Action
1) Please contact Governor Abbott’s office and urge him to add legislation to the upcoming special session call to prevent further settlement of illegal aliens in Colony Ridge and any other areas of Texas.
Online:
Visit gov.texas.gov/apps/contact-us/opinion, enter your contact information, select “Border Security” as the issue, and leave your message.
Phone:
512-463-2000
2) Attend the upcoming flag-waving rallies to protest open borders, illegal aliens crossing into U.S. territory, child & human trafficking (slavery), and drug trafficking.