In Texas, Donald Trump suspends a project to secure the border with Mexico in Big Bend National Park
The Trump administration announced on Monday August 18 that it was suspending a project to secure the border with Mexico in a Texas national park, widely criticized by residents and local elected officials. The Department of Homeland Security planned to install barriers, lighting and detection technology within Big Bend National Park, known for its spectacular landscapes and rich biodiversity.
“Last night (from Sunday 16 to Monday 17 August)I have ordered the suspension of all construction work in this park until I can go there and make a personal assessment”Rodney Scott, who heads the US border police, said on Monday in a video on X.
To authorize the project, the government had lifted the constraints imposed by dozens of environmental laws. This plan of 1.7 billion dollars (around 1.5 billion euros) is part of Donald Trump’s desire to build a wall on the border with Mexico in order to fight against illegal immigration.
“Pragmatic solutions”
According to border police data, only 9,624 migrant arrests were recorded between January 2024 and July 2026 in the Big Bend sector. Local officials signed an open letter supporting border security but calling for “pragmatic solutions”.
Five sheriffs also wrote to the authorities believing that surveillance technologies would be better suited to this steep terrain. “It is one of the most inhospitable places in the United States”Jake Knight of the defense organization Big Bend Protection Alliance told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “It is literally impossible to cross, either on foot or by vehicle, from the other side (Mexico) so far »he added.
“There are concerned residents, who are really concerned about this proposed border barrier in Big Bend. There is a $1.7 billion contract, awarded without competitive bidding, in our national park. That’s a lot of money to spend.”Bernadette Devine, who demonstrated against the project, told AFP.
The environmental organization Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the government to block its progress. “I have never seen residents so indignant and so united around the same fight”explained to AFP Laiken Jordahl, member of this association, who welcomes the suspension while refusing to see it as yet another ” victory “.
