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NEW CANEY — From the eye of a growing political hurricane, the developer of a massive residential community near Houston rejected allegations by conservative media and state elected officials that the development is a “magnet for illegal immigrants” whose streets are overrun by crime.
Trey Harris, along with his brother John and cousin Kevin, expressed their disbelief and frustration by labeling it all as “bullshit.” These remarks were made on Tuesday from their company’s office located in Liberty County.
Harris recently addressed the allegations surrounding the development in a comprehensive interview, which is considered one of his most extensive discussions since they emerged in right-wing media. Amidst calls for action from Republican leaders, he refuted the accusations of violating laws and employing targeted Spanish-language marketing to attract undocumented individuals.
Critics of the developer’s advertising have focused on ads that tell potential buyers they don’t need a Social Security number to buy land in the community. There is no state or federal law against selling land to people who aren’t citizens.
According to Harris, the company is assisting individuals, many of whom are of Latino descent, in purchasing property. He justified their targeted marketing efforts in the Houston area, as it aligns with the majority of their buyers’ location. Harris refuted claims suggesting that the developer engages in extensive advertising in Mexico, South America, and Central America, deeming them untrue.
Harris acknowledged, “I am fully aware that there are individuals who try to discredit me. However, in my perspective, their actions are inconsequential when compared to the immense affection and support I receive from my customers. The love bestowed upon me by my customers holds far greater significance, impacting me on a deeper mental and emotional level than the negative critics.”
State GOP leaders seem intent on investigating the development. Gov. Greg Abbott said issues pertaining to Colony Ridge will be addressed in an upcoming special legislative session, though he has not yet specified what he would ask lawmakers to do.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has said his office also is looking into Colony Ridge, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick toured the development by air Monday before saying the area needs more law enforcement. Following the tour, Patrick and Harris spoke for more than an hour.
Harris invited lawmakers, and state officials including Abbott, to tour the development Thursday and said 15 to 20 had accepted the invitation. Abbott — whose campaigns have received $1.4 million in donations from Harris since 2018 — was not among them. An Abbott spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The criticism regarding the development around 30 miles north of Houston may be gaining attention nationally, but it is not a new experience for us. Ever since we initiated this project, opposition has been a constant presence,” stated Harris, as he gestured towards the maps of Liberty and Montgomery counties displayed on the wall behind him. “I cannot say for certain, but if this criticism persists, I am more than willing to travel to Austin and engage in discussions with anyone interested.”
According to Harris, Colony Ridge encompasses several subdivisions spanning approximately 33,000 acres and serves as the residence for an estimated 40,000 individuals.
Driving through a portion of it, close to U.S. 59 and Texas 99, showcases a combination of contemporary, multi-level houses alongside mobile homes. Heading further east, you’ll come across Montebello, the initial subdivision developed by the company in Liberty County. Here, paved roads are bordered by newer homes, while dirt roads lead to areas that are still being built. Various signs promote houses for sale by Terrenos Houston, the marketing and sales division of Colony Ridge, as well as other companies.
According to Harris, the presence of mobile homes in need of repair and trash scattered across lawns is a common sight in rural Texas developments. However, it should not be used as a basis to pass judgment on the residents.
Harris mentioned that his clientele consists of various groups. Firstly, there are builders who purchase lots and construct houses for resale. Secondly, there are individuals with sufficient funds to acquire a lot and build a conventional suburban brick home. Lastly, there are those who buy land and commence building whenever their financial situation allows.
Harris mentioned that the land they offer, referred to as “dirt” by him, includes water and sewer lines, paved roads, and stormwater drainage. Additionally, he stated that the company usually provides financing options for land purchases, typically through a 20-year note with an interest rate of 12.9%.
According to Harris, the Montebello area initiated its development in 2011, and by 2013, the first residents had already settled in. Fast forward ten years, and the neighborhood now boasts several brick and mortar storefronts, alongside individuals vending fresh produce, fruits, and juices. These vendors set up their stands under makeshift plastic canopies along the roadside.
A. Carrasco, aged 52, shared that he and his family previously operated a roadside stand in Colony Ridge, where they sold produce and various goods. After saving up sufficient funds, they were able to purchase land in the community. In March, Carrasco inaugurated a new store situated near Montebello’s bustling intersection. The store offers a wide variety of produce, including cold coconuts, vegetables, and cheeses, with the majority being imported from Mexico.
Carrasco, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed familiarity with the recent updates on the development and attributed them to the approaching election period. According to Carrasco, certain criticisms, such as crime, are common issues in any expanding community that has not reached its full potential yet.
“Being here is truly amazing, with the delightful weather, serene environment, and abundant space,” he expressed enthusiastically while standing behind the counter of his store, brimming with baskets of avocados and candied fruits. “Undocumented individuals can be found everywhere, not just in this place. Blaming them for driving violence is unjustified, as violence exists universally.”
Sergio Placencia Rojas, a 56-year-old construction worker, shared that he relocated to the development three years ago from an apartment in Houston. His decision to move was primarily driven by his frustration with the increasing crime rate, having experienced the theft of two of his cars within a span of two weeks. It was during this time that he came across a commercial for Terrenos Houston on the radio, prompting him to make the decision to purchase a house in the area.
According to him, he claimed to have never experienced any issues related to crime. While other residents have raised concerns about incidents of gunfire, he personally stated that he had never encountered such disturbances near his residence. However, he mentioned that he has recently observed an increased presence of police officers patrolling the streets in his neighborhood.
He commented that the place was incredibly serene, and he enjoyed it. They had not encountered any issues, to the point where they could confidently leave their cars unlocked without any consequences. The only aspect that could be considered as criminal was the exorbitant taxes.
Still, Colony Ridge has attracted steady criticism over the years from neighbors, who alleged in a lawsuit that Colony Ridge’s development had led to flooding in nearby Plum Grove in areas that did not previously flood. The city and the development each recently won summary judgments in the long-running suit. A state district judge agreed that Colony Ridge was not to blame for the flooding and agreed with the city that it had been promised 2.6 acres as part of a development agreement, according to Bluebonnet News.
A 2017 Houston Chronicle report documented rising tensions between newcomers and people who had long lived in the area who complained about the new development straining public services.
In recent times, state elected officials and a controversial immigration think tank, labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, have portrayed a community afflicted by rampant cartel violence, resulting in bloodied streets.
Harris acknowledged that he couldn’t provide an absolute assurance that there was no cartel or drug activity, but he expressed skepticism towards the portrayal by critics.
He stated that it is uncertain whether there is anyone residing in this area who has or had ties to the cartel among the 40,000 residents. He admitted that he lacks any means to confirm such information. Additionally, he expressed his belief that the level of cartel involvement in his neighborhood is no different from that in any other neighborhood.
Harris refuted allegations of a surge in crime in the region, stating that Colony Ridge was unfairly accused of violence that did not occur within the community. He emphasized that Colony Ridge funds a team of twelve full-time law enforcement officers for patrolling purposes. Additionally, Harris expressed his appreciation for the recent presence of state troopers in the area.
He stated that they attribute a crime, which didn’t occur anywhere close to my neighborhood, to have happened [in Colony Ridge]. He added that crimes occur frequently.
During an interview with a conservative radio show, Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader revealed that the homeowners association pays for 10 of his deputies to patrol the area. However, despite their efforts, they have faced difficulties in managing a worrisome range of issues such as thefts, drug overdoses, juvenile runaways, and stray animals. Sheriff Rader acknowledged the presence of a significant number of gang members in the vicinity, but emphasized that this is a problem throughout Liberty County. He also noted that the concentration of gangs is higher in this particular subdivision due to its larger population.
Rader countered the worries expressed by Abbott and others about the region being labeled as a “no-go zone,” where law enforcement refrains from entering due to safety concerns.
It remains uncertain if legislators will investigate any of the past concerns that came before the recent allegations labeling Colony Ridge as a sanctuary for undocumented individuals.
Harris said he was not sure if his development will be included on the special session’s call, but that he was working on gathering facts that refute the allegations to send to lawmakers.
He stated that if they witness that, the entire situation could simply disappear.
He expressed his belief that Abbott is a “good person” who made an error by speaking publicly about the development without gathering information beforehand.
He expressed his belief that once the truth about the situation is revealed, he expects the person in question to realize their mistake. He is intrigued to witness their reaction when they become aware of their embarrassing blunder.
Robert Downen contributed to this story.
