By Plans for a large-scale, Islamic “sustainable city” development in rural Kaufman County, Texas, have been withdrawn after weeks of local opposition and scrutiny, according to U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas).
The proposal, which had not advanced beyond early stages, drew attention after residents in the unincorporated area learned of it in early February and raised concerns about its scope and potential impact. Critics questioned whether the project—reportedly capable of housing up to 20,000 residents, many described as foreign nationals from Arab backgrounds—would strain local infrastructure, water resources, and alter the character of the rural community.
A Daily Caller investigation brought additional visibility to the proposal, linking it to SEE Holding, a Dubai-based firm focused on sustainability and net-zero emissions initiatives. Preliminary plans outlined a development spanning roughly 2,300 acres. Some residents also associated the project with the nearby East Plano Islamic Center development, known as EPIC City or The Meadow, and voiced concerns it could function as a “sharia city.”
The controversy prompted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to open an investigation on Feb. 9 into whether the proposal complied with state law.
BREAKING: I'm announcing an investigation into a potentially illegal "sharia city" development in Kaufman County.
While you’re on American soil, you will obey America’s laws. pic.twitter.com/qTDzm8Hv9o
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 9, 2026
Senator John Cornyn urged the Department of Justice to investigate a planned Muslim community in Texas, known as EPIC Ranches City, over concerns it could discriminate against non-Muslims.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon, Cornyn argues that a large, Muslim-focused development could potentially exclude or disadvantage Christians, Jews, and other minorities, raising constitutional concerns under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. He is asking federal officials to determine whether residents of all faiths would receive equal protection under the law.
Tensions escalated following reports of a March 18 meeting involving county officials, developers, and community representatives. In response, Gooden said he contacted those behind the project directly and urged them to reconsider moving forward.
“I spoke with them directly within the past 24 hours and advised them to step back and reconsider whether this was the right time and fit for their property,” Gooden said. “Following that conversation, I’m pleased to announce they’ve decided not to move forward in Kaufman County. This matter is resolved, and there is no cause for continued concern.”
Local officials disputed claims that the process lacked transparency. Kaufman County Judge Jakie Allen said there was “not a closed meeting” on March 18, explaining that developers routinely meet with the county’s development services department to review proposals for compliance with local codes before any formal consideration.
Residents had expressed concern about the scale of the project, including the potential need for three new water districts and the strain such development could place on local resources. One anonymous resident told the outlet the prospect of a large influx of new residents into a rural area raised broader questions about growth and infrastructure capacity.
With the proposal now withdrawn, it remains unclear whether the developers will pursue similar projects elsewhere. The episode has intensified scrutiny over a broader and growing concern about foreign backed interests acquiring and developing American land, often with limited transparency at the local level. In recent years, lawmakers have raised alarms about entities tied to countries like China purchasing U.S. farmland and other strategic properties, often near military bases, prompting debates over national security, economic sovereignty, and whether existing oversight is sufficient.
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