In Hudspeth County, west Texas, Customs and Border Protection announced that panel installation is under way on a 47‑mile segment of the Big Bend region, known locally as Big Bend 1. The project is part of the Trump administration’s $46 billion border‑security plan that combines 30‑foot steel bollard walls, vehicle‑blocking barriers, new patrol roads and advanced detection technology.
Accelerated construction pace
CBP says it is now building an average of 12 miles of barriers each week across the 2,000‑mile U.S.–Mexico border – double the weekly pace cited earlier this year by agency head Rodney Scott. Since President Trump took office, the agency has reported completing 200 miles of new barriers, a milestone that underscores the administration’s commitment to finish the wall promised during the 2024 campaign.
Local opposition and concerns
Opposition remains strong in the Big Bend area. Landowners, ranchers, environmental groups, and the No Big Bend Wall Coalition – led by founder Clara Benson – argue that the remote region sees low levels of illegal immigration and that the wall could harm wildlife, sacred Native American sites, and private property. Benson told reporters that trucks have been seen delivering supplies and that contractors are staging materials in yards along the Rio Grande. She added, “We will continue to fight for this land no matter what the outcome is.”
Critics also worry about potential flooding in a nearby small town and the impact on tourism at Big Bend National Park, a major draw for visitors from around the world. A nonprofit dedicated to preserving the region’s landscape has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the construction.
Administration response
President Trump and his team emphasize that securing the border protects American families, supports law‑enforcement, and upholds the Constitution’s authority to control immigration. In a statement, the White House reiterated that the wall’s primary purpose is to deter illegal crossings and drug smuggling, while also creating jobs for local contractors and suppliers.
What’s next?
The Big Bend region comprises five project areas covering roughly 500 miles from Hudspeth County south of El Paso to Lake Amistad. While construction has begun in Big Bend 1, work in the adjacent Big Bend National Park remains paused as the administration engages with local stakeholders. CBP will continue to update its public map with progress photos, and the agency expects to maintain the accelerated 12‑mile‑per‑week pace as it moves into the remaining project zones.
Residents who oppose the wall are encouraged to attend county meetings and pursue legal avenues, while supporters point to the administration’s record of rapid barrier construction as evidence of decisive action on a core campaign promise.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
