Big Bend National Park border wall construction paused amid opposition

Key developments

1. Aug 21, 2026

   CBP pauses all border wall construction activity at Big Bend National Park amid bipartisan backlash over damage to the park's landscape and wildlife.

   95 sources on this →
2. Aug 21, 2026

   Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces there will be no border wall or fence at Big Bend, citing a DHS commitment to pursue alternative security tools instead.

   5 sources on this →

Coverage across the spectrum

Stories in this storyline

Photo: Mark Stebnicki / Wikimedia Commons (Pexels)

Politics

CBP Pauses Big Bend Construction Amid Lawsuits

Under President Trump, the CBP paused all construction activity at Big Bend National Park amid bipartisan backlash over border infrastructure, with Commissioner Rodney Scott planning a site visit and stakeholder consultations. The move comes as critics warn the project would damage the park’s landscape and wildlife, while officials argue the roads and barriers are necessary for surveillance and border security.

95 sources

Politics

Abbott Rules Out Border Wall at Big Bend

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced there will be no border wall or fence at Big Bend National Park, citing a commitment from the Department of Homeland Security to pursue other security tools for that stretch. Construction is paused while federal officials review costs and consult local landowners and opponents, amid bipartisan opposition and concerns about the park’s tourism economy.