Key facts
- Bulldozers are clearing land at the entrance of Big Bend National Park's Santa Elena Canyon.
- The work is part of the Trump administration's border wall expansion project.
- Activists have documented the heavy machinery activity.
- CBP has stated the work is for soil assessment and prep for roads and barriers, not wall construction.
- Environmental groups and local leaders have criticized the project's impact on the park.
- A lawsuit has been filed against DHS for waiving federal environmental and cultural protection laws.
Bulldozers have commenced work at the entrance of Big Bend National Park's Santa Elena Canyon, a move linked to the Trump administration's expansion of border security infrastructure. Activists monitoring the site captured footage of heavy machinery clearing land, sparking outrage among environmental advocates and local communities concerned about the impact on the park's natural landscape.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially denied the activity was related to construction, claiming it was road re-grading. However, the agency later stated the bulldozers were conducting soil assessments for planned patrol roads and vehicle barriers, asserting that actual construction had not yet begun. Despite these statements, opponents argue the work clearly constitutes breaking new ground and that the agency is being disingenuous about its full plans.
The Big Bend region, encompassing over 800,000 acres of Chihuahuan desert and the Rio Grande River, sees relatively few unlawful crossings, according to former park superintendent Bob Krumenaker. Despite this, CBP has identified the park as a site for new security installations, bolstered by a significant funding allocation for border wall expansion. Plans have evolved from an initial proposal for a 30-foot steel bollard wall to a more limited scope involving patrol roads and shorter vehicle barriers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) waived numerous federal environmental and cultural protection laws to expedite construction. This has led to a lawsuit by groups including the Friends of the Ruidosa Church and the Center for Biological Diversity, who contend that these waivers violate due process and constitutional rights. They also point to a prior DHS agreement to provide at least 30 days' notice before any ground-disturbing activities.
Local politicians from both parties have condemned the plans, though prominent Texas Republicans have largely remained silent. Senator John Cornyn has called for a halt to construction to allow for more community input. Southwest Valley Contractors of New Mexico secured a $1.7 billion contract for the border security infrastructure in the area.