All articles tagged with #border wall
Texas Republicans are treading carefully on the Trump administration’s Big Bend border plan, with some leaders backing a pause and others resisting a wall through the park as Democrats press for action; the dispute features figures like Paxton and Cruz hedging, while CBP’s pause prompts calls for local input and potential tech alternatives rather than permanent barriers.
CBP paused Big Bend construction for an on-site review after heavy equipment began moving dirt, as lawmakers and locals weigh border security against protecting the park.
A federal judge in Arizona allowed border-wall construction along the Tohono O’odham Nation’s border with Mexico after ruling that a 1907 Theodore Roosevelt proclamation permits federal use of 60 feet of border land, despite tribal concerns it would trespass and shrink the reservation; the ruling comes amid ongoing emphasis on national security and Trump-era claims of strong border controls.
A U.S. District Court judge denied the Tohono O’odham Nation’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt border-wall construction through its tribal lands, a week after tribal leaders posted No Trespassing signs warning federal contractors away from the reservation.
A U.S. District Court judge denied the Tohono O’odham Nation’s bid for a preliminary injunction to halt border-wall construction through its lands, finding the Nation did not show a likely likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm. The judge also said historical evidence did not clearly define the Roosevelt Reservation’s boundaries, and that even if the Roosevelt Reservation extends to the border, there was no proven way the wall would alter the Nation’s land boundaries. Construction may continue, but the court urged ongoing consultation with the Nation on related concerns.
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.
Bulldozers are moving through Big Bend National Park as part of a broader, multimillion-dollar border-wall effort, despite the area’s low unauthorized crossing rate. The $1.72 billion park project sits within a larger $46.5 billion border-security plan, drawing sharp criticism from conservationists, former park leaders, and local officials who warn of environmental damage, disruption to tourism, and eroded trust in public lands. Protests have emerged, while some politicians push for cheaper tech-based security instead of physical barriers.
Amid bipartisan backlash over the federal Big Bend border-wall plan, Texas AG Ken Paxton has kept his position unclear as Sen. John Cornyn urges DHS to coordinate with local officials; Democrats, park advocates, and local leaders warn the project would harm Big Bend National Park and the regional tourism economy, while Paxton’s campaign says he aims to balance border security with local considerations.
Contractors are bulldozing land in Big Bend National Park to clear routes for future border-patrol roads, vehicle barriers, and cameras as part of a $46.5 billion border-security expansion, sparking environmental concerns that the move could irreversibly reshape the park. The project relies on federal waivers and funding, drawing opposition from environmentalists, local communities, and lawmakers over potential wildlife and habitat damage and questions about government communications.
A federal judge allowed DHS to proceed with building a border wall through the levee system protecting Presidio, Texas, rejecting the town's flood-related challenges and affirming the administration's authority to waive many environmental and regulatory rules to speed construction.
A federal judge has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to proceed with a border wall project that would pass through a small Texas town’s levee system, enabling construction as part of the broader U.S. border security effort.
Trump renewed his feud with Canada by posting an AI-generated image of a giant border air-filter barrier and hinting the U.S. should build a wall to keep Canadian wildfire smoke out, as he presses tariff threats after imposing 50% tariffs on Canadian products and targets Canadian leaders.
The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park staging of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Saheem Ali, situates Verona against a border wall with bilingual dialogue and striking visuals. While certain moments—like Francis Jue’s Friar Lawrence and the bilingual exchange between Romeo and Juliet—register warmth and intensity, the production overall is muddled: uneven pacing, inconsistent concept execution, and some stubbornly unclear lines undermine the tragedy and its political charge."
Rep. Henry Cuellar’s bid to block DHS funding for a border barrier in Big Bend National Park failed in the House Appropriations Committee on a 26–34 vote, with all Democrats in support and Republicans opposing, leaving ongoing wall plans in the park unresolved.
A new lawsuit claims CBP awarded the bulk of Texas border-wall contracts to two prequalified firms—Fisher Sand & Gravel and Barnard Construction—totaling about $14 billion (roughly 73% of contracts), covering areas around El Paso, Laredo, Del Rio and Big Bend. Posillico Civil Inc. argues these awards were not genuine competitive opportunities and that some contracts exceeded the original scope, highlighting concerns about transparency and the use of waivers to accelerate construction. DHS and CBP say bidding was fair, while critics point to past controversies linked to wall projects and related fundraising networks.