Officials Unclear Who to Pay for Seized Texas Land

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Federal officials still aren't certain who to compensate five years after seizing land along the South Texas border with Mexico to build a security fence.

The Brownsville Herald reports a federal judge last week reviewed 21 separate cases of land that was seized to allow for construction of the fence. The U.S. attorney's office for South Texas had requested a hearing to resolve confusion over ownership of the parcels. The land stretches from Brownsville northwest to Los Indios.

Part of the confusion stems from a last-minute decision to relocate the fence. A berm designated to hold the structure was deemed unsuitable to support concrete. Nearby land was then purchased by the federal government but it was determined the apparent owner only had an easement and that it was actually owned by someone else.

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Information from: The Brownsville Herald

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