Big Bend Border Wall Construction Begins Amid Opposition

CBP has begun installing 30-foot steel bollard panels on the 47.3-mile Big Bend 1 project in Hudspeth County, Texas. CBP told AP that "border wall panel installation is underway" and posted a crane photo of a panel being lifted. Five project areas cover roughly 500 miles of the Big Bend region, with partial funding from $46.5 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. CBP reports 12 miles of barriers a week, double its earlier pace, and 200 miles built since the second Trump administration began. The Hudspeth work is separate from Big Bend National Park, where construction is paused. On Aug. 17, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said a team would "evaluate the terrain and listen to local leadership, community members and stakeholders to ensure that we secure our borders while simultaneously protecting BBNP for generations to come." CBP plans cameras, sensors and limited low-profile barriers inside the park. No contested claims found. Landowners, ranchers, business owners and a regional nonprofit sued this week to stop construction. Clara Benson of the No Big Bend Wall Coalition said from Washington, D.C., where members met lawmakers: "We will continue to fight for this land no matter what the outcome is. We will continue fighting to the end." Landowners have refused survey access; activists have urged counties not to cooperate with CBP contractors.