All Republican congressmen representing Texas in the House of Representatives signed a letter calling for a formal investigation to be opened into Colony Ridge, the illegal immigrant favela that disturbs the state. They wrote, “even if a fraction of the above claims are accurate, it is unthinkable that such an enormous settlement would be allowed to persist... much less expand to more than double in size over the next decade.”
The letter, addressed to Governor Gregg Abott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, was signed by all Texas GOP congressmen in the House, Brian Babin, Mónica De la Cruz, Chip Roy, Ronny Jackson, Kay Granger, Troy Nehlls, Morgan Luttrell, Michael Burgess, Michael McCaull, Keith Self, Randy Weber, Austin Pfluger, Pete Sessions, Nathaniel Moran, Roger Williams, Pat Fallon, John Carter, Tony Gonzales, Wesley Hunt, Jack Ellzey, Dan Crenshaw, Beth Van Duyne, Lance Gooden, Jodey Arrington and Michael Cloud.
They wrote, "just north of Houston, an expansion to the massive residential development of Colony Ridge is being undertaken," whose local developer "markets owner-financed loans with no credit checks or proof of legal residency, making the location an optimal haven for illegal aliens amid a historic border crisis".
🚨Today, I led the Texas GOP House delegation in a letter to Gov. Abbott and AG Paxton regarding disturbing reports about Colony Ridge in Liberty County.
We believe the state should conduct a thorough investigation into this issue – read more… https://t.co/rX58R9n5gC pic.twitter.com/M47JkaWBOx— Brian Babin (@RepBrianBabin) September 30, 2023
"Due to safety concerns and adverse effects on their way of life, Texas constituents have reached out to Members of Congress about the situation," they added, also writing that all the neighbors' attempts to counteract the advancement of the settlement have been "unsuccessful."
This situation causes security issues to increase in the area, due to the rate of the expansion of Colony Ridge. "State and local law enforcement officials have reported increases in violent crime throughout the county since new residents, many unlawfully present, have moved into the area, including several high-profile murders, the largest drug busts in the history of Liberty County, and continuous drug cartel activity," the congressmen said.
Unable to do much, local authorities are treating the area as "off-limits", "further heightening the appeal for illegal activity in this development."
Furthermore, they allege that the expansion of the settlement represents a great danger to the environment. Specifically, they mentioned that Colony Ridge is responsible for "48,000 gallons of wastewater contaminating local bayous and significant fecal coliform contamination of drainage ditches."
Applause for Abbott and a request for Paxton
The letter praised the governor's latest actions regarding the settlement, such as announcing a plan to call a special legislative session to address Colony Ridge. "It is our view," the lawmakers wrote, "any new state laws created to address these concerns should be applied and upheld in Colony Ridge and the surrounding area."
As for Paxton, who recently won an impeachment attempt, he was asked to "thoroughly investigate the land purchasing, use, tax status, and other authorizations relating to Colony Ridge and its affiliate entities."
According to the real estate developer of Colony Ridge, William Trey Harris, there is nothing illegal about non-citizens purchasing land in Texas, at the same time specifying that real estate developers are not obliged to verify the status of residents, given that this task corresponds to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service.
