In the Big Bend region of Texas, landowners are facing the threat of land seizures as the Trump administration moves forward with plans to build a border wall. The region, which includes 77 Texas counties and 517 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, is home to many families who have lived and worked on the land for generations.

Local Families Affected

One such family is the Carrascos, who have owned a 40-acre ranch on the banks of the Rio Grande for over 100 years. Joe Carrasco, 71, has received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection asking him to allow contractors to survey his land or risk losing it through eminent domain. Carrasco, a Trump supporter, is opposed to the border wall, which he believes would ruin his farm and cut off access to an irrigation pump that pushes Rio Grande water into his alfalfa farm.

Other landowners in the region are also facing similar threats. Adan Madrid, 65, received a letter from CBP offering $2,500 for a right of passage on his farm, or risk losing the whole property, including his home, through eminent domain. Madrid, a descendant of one of the founding families in the area, is determined to fight the government’s efforts to seize his land.

Community Concerns

The threat of land seizures has galvanized the community, with many residents expressing concerns about the impact of the border wall on their way of life. The region is known for its natural beauty, with rugged canyons and desert plants, and many residents have started businesses catering to tourists, such as renting river canoeing equipment or serving as river guides.

The federal government has waived environmental laws in the state and national park to speed up the process of building the border wall. Contractors are seeking permits to access enough water to house hundreds of workers in the area who will be tasked with building some form of border security infrastructure.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.