How does the government use eminent domain to seize land from Texans?
(Michael Stravato For The Texas Tribune, Michael Stravato For The Texas Tribune)
Having trouble viewing? Watch this video on texastribune.org .
The government has the power to seize land from citizens to build things like schools, roads and border walls although it is required to fairly compensate them. That power is more limited at the local and state level, where officials have enacted policies to protect landowners. Meanwhile, the federal government could feasibly take private land and begin building on it the same day — and pay the property owner later.
The Texas Tribune partnered with the education publisher Pearson to explain to Texas students how the process works.
Watch the video above to learn more — or read our related coverage below.
2025 Texas Tribune
Coca Cola's Classic Christmas takes over Toyota Field in San Antonio ▶ 0:40
Coca Cola's Classic Christmas takes over Toyota Field in San Antonio
Consumer Reports: Instacart’s AI-enabled pricing experiments may be inflating your grocery bill ▶ 1:09
Consumer Reports: Instacart’s AI-enabled pricing experiments may be inflating your grocery bill
Harvey E. Najim partners with SA Food Bank for 3 mega food distributions this month ▶ 0:36
Harvey E. Najim partners with SA Food Bank for 3 mega food distributions this month
Records: Cibolo spent $100K+ defending officer after state audit found past family violence case ▶ 1:01
Records: Cibolo spent $100K+ defending officer after state audit found past family violence case
San Antonio family brings single‑origin coffee From El Salvador to local cups ▶ 1:43
San Antonio family brings single‑origin coffee From El Salvador to local cups
Victim of west Bexar County porch pirate warns others to protect holiday packages ▶ 0:57
Victim of west Bexar County porch pirate warns others to protect holiday packages
🥐 NEW! 🥐 ✨ Downtown San Antonio — get ready to meet your new obsession! ▶ 1:26
🥐 NEW! 🥐 ✨ Downtown San Antonio — get ready to meet your new obsession!
Plane crashes into car on Florida highway ▶ 0:35
Plane crashes into car on Florida highway
Missing dog returned home after 5 years ▶ 1:01
Missing dog returned home after 5 years
Veterans demand change after second suicide in 8 months outside San Antonio VA hospital ▶ 1:57
Veterans demand change after second suicide in 8 months outside San Antonio VA hospital
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race. ▶ 0:50
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race.
Mountain Cedar season has begun for San Antonio ▶ 1:51
Mountain Cedar season has begun for San Antonio
Would you pay to park at La Cantera? ▶ 2:01
Would you pay to park at La Cantera?
Commuter train collides with vehicle in Illinois ▶ 0:23
Commuter train collides with vehicle in Illinois
San Antonio mural honors 'Spurs Lady' ▶ 3:25
San Antonio mural honors 'Spurs Lady'
Texas educator saves Christmas for 400 elementary students with Tik Tok plea ▶ 1:53
Texas educator saves Christmas for 400 elementary students with Tik Tok plea
President Trump weighs in on Netflix-Warner Bros. deal ▶ 0:42
President Trump weighs in on Netflix-Warner Bros. deal
Supporters head to inaugural San Antonio Marathon to support runners ▶ 0:27
Supporters head to inaugural San Antonio Marathon to support runners
Sarah Acosta catches up with runners at inaugural San Antonio Marathon ▶ 2:47
Sarah Acosta catches up with runners at inaugural San Antonio Marathon
Krampus parade returns for 2nd year to haunt downtown San Antonio ▶ 0:45
Krampus parade returns for 2nd year to haunt downtown San Antonio
Human remains found on east Bexar County property, sheriff says ▶ 1:03
Human remains found on east Bexar County property, sheriff says
Hundreds of 911 calls during July 4 floods show panic, resolve, desire to help ▶ 2:23
Hundreds of 911 calls during July 4 floods show panic, resolve, desire to help
Police: Suicide note, self-harm behavior uncovered amid investigation of Texas A&M student’s death ▶ 1:34
Police: Suicide note, self-harm behavior uncovered amid investigation of Texas A&M student’s death
Teen charged in brother’s shooting to remain in detention after violating release terms ▶ 0:44
Teen charged in brother’s shooting to remain in detention after violating release terms
Check out these space heater safety tips ▶ 1:22
Check out these space heater safety tips
Previous photo Next photo