Texas launches program to repay ranchers, farmers for immigration-related damage

AUSTIN — Ranchers and farmers along the state’s southern border can seek compensation for immigration-related property damage under a state program launched Thursday.

Texas lawmakers established the Landowner Compensation Fund last year to assist landowners whose property near the U.s.-mexico border is damaged in connection with a border-related crime.

Compensation is capped at $75,000 per incident under the law known as Senate Bill 1133.

The Texas attorney general’s office will administer the program.

“This program will provide needed relief to Texans whose property is damaged by foreign aliens waved into the country by the federal government,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Thursday.

SB 1133 flew through the Legislature without opposition. Six state senators — three Democrats and three Republicans — authored the bill, while Rep. Tracy King, D-batesville, was the House sponsor.

The Senate Committee on Border Security, in a report published in January 2023, said a number of ranchers and farmers suffered “record financial losses and property damage” from migrants who had illegally crossed into Texas.

SB 1133 applies to land used for agriculture as an occupation or business venture.

The law offers compensation for crimes related to controlled substances, human smuggling, evading arrest, human trafficking or conduct related to transnational criminal activity, such as cartels.

To be eligible for compensation, damage must be documented in a police report.

Landowners have 90 days from the day of the damage to apply for compensation, according to the attorney general’s office.

Damage that took place before Sept. 1, 2023, when the law went into effect, is not covered.