Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into a land development in Kaufman County, questioning whether it involves plans for a 'sharia city' linked to a Dubai-based company. The probe follows concerns from residents about up to 20,000 foreign nationals potentially relocating there. Paxton emphasized that American laws must be followed on U.S. soil.
On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, announced an investigation into a development project in Kaufman, Texas, located about 34 miles southeast of Dallas. The scrutiny targets a purchase of thousands of acres near Kaufman by an American subsidiary of SEE Holdings, a Dubai-based company. This action comes amid circulating claims that the site could house up to 20,000 foreign nationals in a 'sustainable' community.
Paxton stated, “There will be no ‘sharia city’ in Texas under my watch. While you’re on American soil, you will obey America’s laws. I have launched this investigation to determine the nature of this development in Kaufman County and will be thoroughly investigating this matter for any unlawful actions.” He has requested details from SEE Holdings and the Delaware-based Kaufman Solar, which is connected to the land acquisition. The requests include communications with local officials, the companies' relationship, and development plans.
Kaufman Solar, founded in August 2022 and registered in Delaware, lists Nextera Registered Agency as its agent. County commissioner meeting minutes indicate that NextEra Energy Resources represented Kaufman Solar in discussions with officials.
The investigation was prompted by a report from The Daily Caller highlighting resident concerns. Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) shared that SEE Holdings contacted him, saying, “The group reached out to me, and I said under no circumstances would we accept any planned community that included mosques or religious buildings or schools. Twenty thousand foreigners is news to me, but that would also be a nonstarter, obviously.” He added, “If they were from New York and not Dubai, then we likely wouldn’t be concerned, but considering what our neighboring counties have been through, they’re going to have to actively involve the community to get buy-in, and that has yet to happen.”
This probe echoes Paxton's prior actions, such as his 2023 investigation into EPIC City, a planned Muslim community in northern Texas. He sued in December to halt construction, alleging violations of state securities laws, which developers denied. Paxton remarked then, “The leaders behind EPIC City have engaged in a radical plot to destroy hundreds of acres of beautiful Texas land and line their own pockets. I will relentlessly bring the full force of the law against anyone who thinks they can ignore the rules and hurt Texans.”
Recently, Republican lawmakers have increased efforts to ban Sharia law nationwide, with House Republicans forming the Sharia Free America Caucus last week, stating that Islamic law conflicts with the Constitution.
SEE Holdings and NextEra Energy Resources did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
