Texas state lawmakers urge Abbott to help stop CBP barrier construction in Big Bend National Park Max Rego Sun, August 16, 2026 at 8:50 PM UTC 35 Dozens of Texas lawmakers earlier this week urged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to put a stop to the Trump administration’s plans to build border barrier installations at Big Bend National Park.
Texas state lawmakers urge Abbott to help stop CBP barrier construction in Big Bend National Park
Max Rego Sun, August 16, 2026 at 8:50 PM UTC
35
Dozens of Texas lawmakers earlier this week urged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to put a stop to the Trump administration’s plans to build border barrier installations at Big Bend National Park.
In a letter to Abbott on Thursday, 44 state lawmakers from both parties asked the governor to “swiftly use every available avenue” to call on the Department of Homeland Security to “immediately cease demolition and border barrier construction activities” in the national park.
Big Bend is located on the bend of the Rio Grande and is known for its mountain range, river canyons and desert landscape.
Rodney Scott, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner, noted Thursday the administration is constructing “limited” barriers in the park and not a 30-foot border wall.
“CBP is building one new access road, improving existing roads, installing detection technology, and placing vehicle barriers in limited, strategic locations,” Scott said in a statement. “We are NOT building a 30-foot wall or stadium lighting through Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, or the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.”
While the Texas lawmakers referenced “bulldozers and construction equipment” entering the park in their letter to Abbott, the CBP commissioner said that is for “survey and design work” and not the construction of a wall.
Scott added the border barriers will help CBP agents detect illegal crossings, respond faster and assist park visitors in danger.
The state lawmakers, though, expressed concern the administration was carrying out the project in a manner that is not “effective, fiscally responsible, and respectful of the communities and landscapes we are sworn to protect.”
Advertisement
They added, “As you know, Big Bend is unlike any other place along the Texas-Mexico border. The mountains, cliffsides, and harsh climate already provide a God-given border barrier.”
“Utilization of drones, radar, and other technology at our disposal can be used to assist law enforcement when necessary to monitor and secure the Big Bend sector. Physical barriers have long been recognized as unnecessary.”
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Abbott’s office directed The Hill to the governor’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, who told The New York Times earlier this year: “Rugged, isolated areas like Big Bend are great opportunities to deploy technology to aid in securing the border.”
State Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. (D) said Thursday there is “simply no need to spend upwards of $7 billion on shady no-bid contracts” on an area that accounts for less than 1 percent of border crossings.
“Texas does not, and should not, bend the knee to the will of the federal government,” Morales wrote on social media. “Texas leaders swore an oath to protect our state, our land, and our communities — it is imperative that oath is upheld to protect this region for future generations of Texans to cherish.”
at 4:10 p.m. EDT.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Source: "AOL Breaking"
Source: Breaking
Published: August 17, 2026 at 09:54AM on Source: MORNING MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle