Big Bend National Park border wall construction begins

Federal contractors have begun construction on a border barrier near Santa Elena Canyon within Big Bend National Park. The project is part of a broader “Smart Wall” initiative that includes a 30-foot-tall metal barrier spanning a 517-mile stretch of the border, affecting public and private lands, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and several counties including Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn has urged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to meet with local leaders, landowners, and park advocates to address concerns regarding the project. While Cornyn expressed support for border security, he emphasized the need for DHS to coordinate with Texas stakeholders before proceeding with further construction.

The construction follows previous actions by the Department of Homeland Security, where former Secretary Kristi Noem utilized provisions in the REAL ID Act to waive various federal protections. These waivers bypassed environmental, historic preservation, and endangered species laws to expedite the development of barriers and roads in the region.