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2d ago

Administration Confirms 17 Miles of Vehicle Barriers Planned Through Big Bend Parks

DHS waivers will let contractors fast-track barrier, road and surveillance work in parklands, triggering legal challenges.

Image
The Rio Grande cuts through the desert between the U.S. and Mexico as seen from an aerial view over Big Bend National Park on May 24, 2026.
An example of the vehicle barriers deployed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to block off-road vehicles.
Officials in the United States say they will complete the wall along the border with Mexico by late 2027

Overview

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed Wednesday plans to install about 17 miles of four-foot metal vehicle barriers in and near Big Bend National Park to block off‑road vehicles from reaching the Rio Grande.
  • The department published waivers that exempt projects in the Big Bend sector from multiple federal environmental and cultural laws so contractors can build barriers, patrol roads and surveillance systems more quickly.
  • Federal agencies have awarded multi‑billion‑dollar contracts tied to the Big Bend sector, and CBP says the barrier work is part of a larger program to finish the primary wall by the end of 2027 and deploy supplemental technology by mid‑2028.
  • A House Appropriations amendment to bar DHS spending on Big Bend fencing failed in committee along party lines, leaving funding authority intact for the administration’s plans.
  • Local leaders, former park superintendents and conservation groups have filed or announced lawsuits and warned the work will damage trails, wildlife and river access while construction readiness increases for segments where land access is resolved.