The State of Texas recently bought the Brewster Ranch for $164.6 million, down from its original listing of $320 million in 2020. The price was lowered to $268 million in 2023, then to $245 million before the state completed the purchase.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has kept details about the 424,000-acre Brewster Ranch acquisition vague but mentioned possible uses for border security, protecting against "foreign adversaries," and using mineral resources for educational funding. The land will not be used for migrant detention due to its terrain. The Brewster Ranch purchase is one of the largest public land acquisitions in Texas history, strengthening state control over the Chihuahuan Desert and supporting long-term revenue. "The Brewster Ranch acquisition by the Texas General Land Office ranks as one of the most significant public purchases of land in the history of Texas," said James King of King Land & Water, according to Chron and MySA.

The Brewster Ranch, made up of 28 ranches, features diverse landscapes like deserts, rivers, and mountains. Some parts, including Horse Mountain Ranch and Tesnus Ranch, have been sold, with Tesnus still available. Buckingham aims to protect Texas's border and support education with the property. It is considered "a sanctuary" for over 1.25 million acres of Chihuahuan Desert, as reported by MySA.