Texas Governor Greg Abbott broke his silence on the federal border‑security project in Big Bend National Park during a campaign stop on Monday. When asked about the ongoing construction, Abbott said he had spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over the weekend. According to Abbott, Mullin “committed to me that DHS will not be building a wall or a fence in Big Bend National Park. They understand that there are other tools to successfully secure that part of the border through technology, personnel and other means,” the governor said.
State officials cite alternative security measures
Abbott added that Mullin recognized other sections of Texas’ border have higher volumes of illegal crossings and may warrant a physical barrier, but that Big Bend’s unique landscape does not require a wall. The governor linked the recent pause announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott to his conversation with the secretary, saying the halt was a direct consequence of their discussion.
Scott, in turn, said CBP would continue gathering information to ensure the park remains secure without compromising its natural beauty. The pause follows weeks of bipartisan criticism and thousands of calls from Texans urging federal agencies to stop construction inside the national park.
Political pressure from both parties
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R‑Texas, was the first member of Congress from the state to ask Secretary Mullin to stop the work. Cornyn also expressed concern about waivers Mullin signed that bypass federal and state laws protecting historic, archaeological, Native American, and ecological sites in Texas. Rep. Chip Roy, R‑Texas, echoed the request, urging DHS officials to meet with Texas stakeholders.
State Rep. Gina Hinojas, D‑Austin, who is challenging Abbott for governor, accused the governor of remaining silent while bulldozers damaged Santa Elena Canyon, then attempting to “gaslight” voters as the election approaches.
Local experts question the need for a wall
Seven former Big Bend National Park superintendents, collectively holding 259 years of National Park Service experience, have repeatedly asked Mullin to rescind dozens of waivers they say could have devastating environmental impacts without improving border security.
Terrell County Sheriff Thad Cleveland, a former Border Patrol agent, has also questioned the plan, arguing that virtual barriers and advanced technology are more effective and less intrusive. Cleveland noted that the canyon’s 1,500‑foot vertical cliffs already serve as a natural deterrent to illegal crossings.
Changing maps and contract transparency
CBP’s publicly posted “Smart Wall” map for the Big Bend region has been updated multiple times since October, shifting from “technology only” and “vehicle barrier system” designations to red lines indicating a proposed 30‑foot bollard wall in several counties. Contract details for the $7.5 billion border‑security effort in the region were previously available on USASpending.gov but now return a “404 not found” error.
Critics point out that bulldozers have already entered recreational areas such as Santa Elena Canyon and Mariscal Canyon—areas with no recorded illegal entries and difficult terrain. The Center for Biological Diversity warned that any barrier near Mariscal Canyon would require extensive dynamite blasting, adding to environmental concerns.
Legal actions continue
The Center for Biological Diversity, along with other environmental groups, filed an emergency injunction in federal court on Monday to halt construction. Sheriff Cleveland said he will meet with Commissioner Scott on Tuesday to discuss the concerns raised by local law‑enforcement and park officials.
As the 2026 gubernatorial race heats up, the debate over how to secure Texas’ border while preserving the state’s natural heritage remains a focal point for voters, policymakers, and community leaders alike.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
