A key platform of former President Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns was a giant wall at the southern border, which he believed would stop the flow of illegal border crossings into the country.
By the end of his first and—so far—only term in office, Trump's administration only completed just over 80 miles of new wall, with most of its funding going instead toward refurbishing hundreds of miles of already existing fencing.
Trump's administration relied on "Eminent Domain"—or the government's ability to seize private land while providing compensation—to keep the wall moving. One family that fell victim to this seizure was the Cavazos family of Texas.
The family has for years been entrenched in litigation fighting to keep their 6.5 acre land along the Rio Grande ever since the Trump administration claimed it.
Now, according to reporting from Priscilla Alvarez of CNN, the Biden administration has begun the process of returning the land to the Cavazos family, as part of the administration's efforts in returning seized land.
The Texas Civil Rights Project, which represents Eloisa Cavazos, tweeted about the development.
Now that we have successfully stopped the construction of a needless and wasteful border wall on their property, Ms. Cavazos and her family will be able to continue their quiet and fulfilling life beside the Rio Grande.
— Texas Civil Rights Project (@TXCivilRights) December 7, 2021
The Cavazos family weren't the only ones overjoyed at the news.
The Cavazos family has owned their property along the border since the 1760s—but nearly lost it after Trump tried to take it to build his border wall.
Thanks to the Biden administration, they won’t lose their home. Good news. https://t.co/NGKXisujuR
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) December 9, 2021
Good!https://t.co/u1uScipUYd
— Ann'G (@anngcole3) December 9, 2021
Relieved to hear the right thing is being done here - land should not be seized from Mexican American families in South Texas to build a wall.
Border land returned to Cavazos family after it was seized for wall with Mexico. #latism https://t.co/5b7xMsZX19
— Katherine L. Unmuth (@kunmuth) December 8, 2021
Good move. https://t.co/AFvPcml4sL
— Xavier Gonzalez (@_xaviergonjr) December 8, 2021
👏👏👏 https://t.co/Cho5Y7WrTM
— Katharine Kung (@katharine8889) December 8, 2021
Finally! https://t.co/fpBk90Htdb
— I am a Kat! (@Katj512) December 8, 2021
They praised Biden's role in getting the land returned.
Thank you @POTUS 👏👏👏
— Nasty Woman Voter (@buzzzbea) December 8, 2021
Thank you President Biden for doing the honorable thing. https://t.co/pWlzdqqWoo
— Karen Rigatti (@karenrigatti) December 8, 2021
Go Biden! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/H3pS3KCSh3
— deb armstrong (@beamerofjoy) December 8, 2021
Thank you @POTUS 👏👏👏
— Nasty Woman Voter (@buzzzbea) December 8, 2021
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