Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office has launched an investigation into a proposed development in Kaufman County that he described as a potentially illegal “sharia city.” The announcement comes amid growing local and national concerns about the project, which has been linked to a U.S. subsidiary of the Dubai-based company SEE Holding and Kaufman Solar LLC.
BREAKING: I'm announcing an investigation into a potentially illegal "sharia city" development in Kaufman County.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 9, 2026
While you’re on American soil, you will obey America’s laws. pic.twitter.com/qTDzm8Hv9o
The proposed development, reportedly covering thousands of acres near Kaufman, has been promoted as a “sustainable city.” Reports indicate the project could eventually accommodate as many as 20,000 foreign nationals. Critics have raised questions about whether the development could operate under religious or legal frameworks inconsistent with U.S. and Texas law, with some alleging the plan could function as a “sharia city.”
In a statement accompanying the release of legal documents, Paxton made clear his stance: “There will be no ‘sharia city’ in Texas under my watch. While you’re on American soil, you will obey America’s laws.” He emphasized that his office is committed to halting any development that violates state law, threatens the welfare of Texans, or undermines the state’s legal framework.
As part of the investigation, Paxton’s office has issued Requests to Examine, or RTEs, to both SEE Holding and Kaufman Solar LLC. The legal requests seek information regarding communications with local city, school, county, and state officials, the relationship between the two companies, and details on real estate acquisitions and development plans in Texas. The attorney general indicated that his office will thoroughly examine the matter to determine whether any actions by the companies are unlawful.
Paxton’s announcement comes in the context of a broader political movement in the House of Representatives opposing what its members describe as the influence of Sharia law in the United States. The Sharia Free America Caucus, launched on December 18, 2025, by Representatives Keith Self (TX-03) and Chip Roy (TX-21), has grown to twenty-six members from seventeen states. The caucus aims to raise awareness of the perceived dangers of Sharia and advocate for policies they say protect American legal and cultural values.
“Preserving the American way of life is essential to protecting civil liberties and upholding the United States Constitution. Sharia stands in direct opposition to our country and is totally anathema to the concept of individual freedom and our founding principles,” said Congressman Self. “I thank my House colleagues for joining this noble cause to save Western Civilization and fight back against the threat of Sharia.”
Congressman Roy added, “Sharia is a direct threat to our Constitution and Western values and seeks to replace our legal system and erode our basic freedoms. Our immigration system must be prepared to confront this challenge and defend our Judeo-Christian values. I am proud to co-chair this caucus with Rep. Keith Self and encouraged to see more of my House colleagues joining this effort, because the preservation of America and Western civilization depends on it.”
Paxton’s investigation, combined with the heightened attention from the caucus, reflects growing scrutiny of foreign-linked development projects in Texas and across the U.S. Lawmakers and state officials are emphasizing compliance with federal and state law, particularly in large-scale projects that could have implications for immigration, local governance, and cultural norms.
