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Big Bend border construction halted by federal judge
A federal judge in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration from constructing border barriers and related infrastructure in the Big Bend sector. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone ruled that the administration must stop all construction and ground-disturbing activities in the region, which includes Big Bend National Park, while the legal challenge proceeds.
The ruling prohibits the government from using legal waivers to bypass environmental and other regulations that were intended to accelerate the project. In her decision, Judge Cardone stated that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of at least one claim and that they would face serious, irreparable harm without the court's intervention.
The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of local landowners, businesses, and environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity. Opponents argue that the rugged terrain of the Big Bend region already serves as a natural deterrent to illegal immigration and that the proposed $46 billion infrastructure plan—which includes 30-foot steel walls, vehicle barriers, and surveillance technology—would cause permanent damage to the landscape and local ecosystems.
Customs and Border Protection defended the project, expressing confidence in its legal authority to secure the border while preserving the landscape, and noted it is working with the Department of Justice on next steps.
Entities
Big Bend · Big Bend National Park · Center for Biological Diversity · Customs and Border Protection · Department of Homeland Security · Kathleen Cardone · Trump administration
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The judge barred the administration from using legal waivers to bypass environmental and other regulations during the litigation. offthepress.com · yournews.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · srnnews.com · internewscast.com
- [● 19 SOURCES] The judge determined that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of at least one of their legal claims. offthepress.com · yournews.com · eltiempomx.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · +13 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The border infrastructure projects are part of a $46 billion plan involving steel walls, vehicle barriers, roads, and surveillance technology. atento.com.do · eltiempomx.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.ms.now · www.newsday.com · +9 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Judge Kathleen Cardone issued an injunction halting border barrier construction and ground-disturbing activities in the Big Bend sector. offthepress.com · yournews.com · eltiempomx.com · srnnews.com · www.lifezette.com · +13 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Customs and Border Protection defended the project, stating they remain confident in their legal authority to secure the border while preserving the landscape. atento.com.do · eltiempomx.com · www.ms.now · www.newsday.com · nypost.com · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Center for Biological Diversity, one of the plaintiffs, described the court's ruling as a 'total victory.' www.haberaktuel.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · srnnews.com · www.troyrecord.com · www.dtnext.in · +1 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The court found that plaintiffs would likely suffer serious and irreparable harm without the injunction. offthepress.com · yournews.com · eltiempomx.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · +12 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Plaintiffs argued that environmental damage from construction, such as clearing vegetation and cutting roads, cannot be repaired by monetary compensation. offthepress.com · justthenews.com