Big Bend National Park border wall construction paused

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas - Construction activity tied to a border security project in Big Bend National Park has been paused as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott heads to the region for an on-the-ground review.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that federal officials have also committed to not building a wall or fence in the national park.

Big Bend National Park Border construction paused

What we know:

Scott said Monday that he ordered construction activity in the park stopped while he personally evaluates the project.

"Last night, I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes until I can get down there and do a personal evaluation," Scott said.

In a post on X, Scott said he planned to evaluate the terrain and hear from local leaders, community members and other stakeholders.

"Now over the next couple of days, I will join a small team to evaluate the terrain and listen to local leadership, community members and stakeholders to ensure that we secure our borders while simultaneously protecting BBNP for generations to come," Scott wrote.

Scott is expected to meet with local law enforcement, judges and elected officials during his visit, according to people in the Big Bend region. Some residents and community advocates said they also hope he makes time to meet directly with members of the community.

Local residents and environmental groups express concerns

Local perspective:

Yolanda Alvarado, a local rancher and member of the No Big Bend Wall Coalition whose family has lived in the region for more than 100 years, expressed mixed feelings about Scott's visit.

"It's really disappointing that they're now coming in after already bulldozing several miles of road through the national park without doing this initial visit first, so I do have a lot of mixed emotions," Alvarado said.

What they're saying:

Abbott said Monday that he spoke with the secretary of Homeland Security over the weekend and received a commitment that a wall or fence would not be constructed in Big Bend National Park.

"Over the weekend, I spoke with the Secretary of Homeland Security, and he committed to me that they will not be building a wall or a fence in Big Bend National Park," Abbott said.

Abbott said federal officials understand there are other ways to secure the park, including technology and personnel. He also said there are other stretches of the Texas-Mexico border with more crossings where a wall is more urgently needed.

Abbott suggested that the construction pause resulted from his conversation with the Homeland Security secretary.

"With regard to the announcement today of the pause, that seems to be a consequence of my conversation with the Secretary this weekend," Abbott said.

Abbott said Scott would be at Big Bend National Park either Monday or Tuesday to gather information about how to secure the area "without undermining the beauty of the National Park."

The backstory:

Videos circulating online in recent weeks have shown bulldozers clearing portions of Big Bend National Park as part of a border security project.

CBP has maintained that the work does not involve construction of a 30-foot border wall. Scott previously said the project includes a new access road, improvements to existing roads, detection technology and vehicle barriers in limited locations.

"CBP is building one new access road, improving existing roads, installing detection technology, and placing vehicle barriers in limited, strategic locations," Scott previously said.

Alvarado disputed characterizations of the activity as simply survey work, pointing to the presence of heavy equipment in the park.

"Clearly, we all know what a survey looks like. There's stakes and markers, but there are bulldozers throughout the national park, and it's directly in line with where they initially wanted to put the wall," she said.

Legal action and bipartisan pushback

A federal lawsuit filed Friday seeks to stop the project, arguing that the work violates federal law and religious freedoms and threatens archaeological resources and sacred sites.

The controversy has also drawn attention from Texas lawmakers from both parties, who signed a letter asking Abbott to intervene.

Alvarado said she welcomes the pause and Abbott's involvement but remains concerned about construction in the park even if the project does not include a 30-foot wall.

"A construction of a road and a shorter wall is still construction," Alvarado said. "It is still using our natural resources. It is still taking away the heritage and history of the land. It's going through archeological sites as well as sacred sites."

What's next:

Scott is expected to visit Big Bend National Park as federal officials evaluate how to move forward with border security measures in the area.

Abbott said he received a commitment that a wall or fence would not be built in the park. 

CBP has previously said its plans include roads, detection technology and vehicle barriers.

Members of the No Big Bend Wall Coalition plan to travel to Austin for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on Wednesday.

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