AUSTIN, Texas — A fight over border security in the Big Bend region is drawing opposition from advocates and local leaders concerned about the impact of new barriers on protected public lands.
Advocates gathered in Austin Wednesday during the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission’s annual public hearing, urging state leaders to oppose additional border wall construction in the Big Bend area.
“We’d like them to just say no to any border wall,” one advocate said during the demonstration.
The gathering came as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott visited the Big Bend region to review federal border security plans and recommendations from local leaders.
“Last night I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes,” Scott said in a video posted this week.
Scott said Wednesday that he was reviewing suggestions from local officials and comparing them with CBP’s original plans for the area.
He also reiterated that no border wall is planned inside Big Bend National Park, a development advocates have welcomed.
Texas leaders hear hours of testimony about border security plans in Big Bend
Presidio Mayor John Ferguson said local leaders support border security but question the need for extensive barriers in the region.
“You’ll find all of us in agreement that we want border security in Big Bend, but what you’ll also discover is that immigration in the Big Bend area is almost nothing,” Ferguson said.
But concerns extend beyond the national park.
CBP maps show border barriers are still planned near the edges of Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is separate from Big Bend National Park.
Ferguson said communities in Presidio County remain concerned about what could be built there.
“Especially in Presidio County, which could potentially be walled in by the border wall, so the fight is not over, but we’re encouraged about what happened,” Ferguson said.
The Texas General Land Office exhibit showing work done on state land, telling CBP the contractors trespassed here
The dispute intensified in recent weeks when Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham sent a cease-and-desist letter to Border Patrol, accusing contractors of illegally clearing more than a mile of state land for border wall work.
CBP told News 4 and Fox SA that a contractor did trespass on state land and that the agency is working with Buckingham’s office to resolve the issue.
All construction on GLO identified land has ceased, and the GLO is now moving into the next phase of this process. We are working with the contractor to determine the appropriate steps to remediate the affected land. Additionally, the GLO is initiating additional surveys of state tracts surrounding the area in question and conducting a thorough review of relevant titles and deeds to better determine the location and extent of any potential trespass. Our process concerning wall construction will ensure all factors, including our conservation obligations, are carefully considered. — Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.
Construction on the affected land has since stopped.
A CBP spokesperson sent the following statement:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been made aware that one of our border wall construction contractors trespassed on land managed by the Texas General Land Office (TXGLO). CBP values its partnership with the TX GLO. We are working with the contractor and the TX GLO to enhance communication and resolve this incident.
Advocates at Wednesday’s hearing said the controversy highlights broader concerns about how border security projects could affect public lands.
“Everyone should be concerned, because it may be Big Bend now, but who knows what park it could be in the future,” advocate Ann Dudley said.