Big Bend bulldozers advance border-security plans, sparking protests

Bulldozers began ground-clearing at Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park as part of the Trump administration’s multi-billion-dollar border-security expansion, despite initial CBP denials. Officials say the work is survey and prep for planned roads and vehicle barriers, but activists and some lawmakers view it as new ground for a wall and warn that environmental laws were waived to speed construction, prompting lawsuits and bipartisan backlash over the impact on the park and local access.