Texas Border Watch is following major new developments along the U.S.–Mexico border, where federal officials are expanding “smart wall” technology, warning of cartel-linked bounty threats, and coordinating National Guard deployments from multiple states.
The federal government is rolling out 230 miles of new “smart wall” technology along the southern border, and more than half will be installed in Texas.
The system combines the traditional steel wall with cameras, sensors, and AI-driven surveillance tools to monitor illegal crossings.
Funded largely through a $46 billion Congressional border security package, the project will cost about $4.5 billion, with $2.6 billion heading to Texas.
CBP awarded three of the 10 new construction contracts to projects along the Texas border, together worth more than $1 billion:
El Paso 3 Project: $850 million to BCCG Joint Venture to build 42 miles of new primary Smart Wall, six miles of secondary wall, and 46 miles of technology infrastructure.Del Rio 1 and 2 Projects: Totaling $929 million, these contracts include 32 miles of new wall and more than 60 miles of floating, waterborne barriers in and around Eagle Pass — an area that’s seen some of the sharpest increases in migrant crossings over the past two years.Rio Grande Valley Waterborne Barrier Project: $96 million for 17 miles of floating barriers along the Rio Grande near Brownsville in Cameron County.
Border Patrol has launched a public website tracking construction progress and publishing FAQs and maps detailing where projects are underway.
Officials say the new model will be used in areas that lack natural barriers and will include more of the floating water barriers first deployed by the state of Texas.
Federal officials are sounding the alarm after uncovering what they call a credible plot targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Mexican criminal networks — working with domestic extremist groups — have placed bounties on federal personnel, urging U.S.-based sympathizers to track, harass, and attack agents.
Investigators report that gang members in Chicago neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village have acted as spotters, relaying agent movements via radios. Intelligence indicates a “tiered bounty system,” offering up to $50,000 for assassinating high-ranking officials.
DHS is urging the public to report suspicious activity, especially coordinated rooftop lookouts or attempted ambushes near federal operations.
Dozens of National Guard troops from Oregon and New York are deploying to Texas to support border security operations.
About 60 Oregon Guard members took part in a mobilization ceremony in Salem this week before heading south, while nearly 200 New York troops will join them for a 14-month mission.
The Oregon soldiers will assist with vehicle recovery, refueling, and maintenance. The New York troops will help with surveillance, bringing Humvees equipped with camera systems to the region.
Training for the deployment is expected to take place at Fort Bliss before the units move into position along the U.S.–Mexico border.