With sheer cliffs towering hundreds of metres above the waters of the Rio Grande, vast desert landscapes, and rugged mountain ranges, Big Bend National Park in southern Texas is considered one of the most remote parks in the United States. But this park on the Mexican border has also become a battleground, with strong public opposition to a border infrastructure construction project looming over the area for months, and the waiver of a series of laws to expedite its implementation. The project is part of US President Donald Trump's massive "One Big Beautiful" tax-and-spending bill passed in May 2025, which allocated $46.5 billion to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. However, this border corridor spans several protected areas, including Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park.
A post from February 23, 2026, opposing the construction of a border wall in the Big Bend Sector. Source: Instagram / @tylerpriest
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Shifting plans Repeated changes regarding the specific types of infrastructure planned for the national park have, in particular, fuelled concern among the project's opponents. A map published in February 2026 by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) appeared to show a steel bollard wall construction project along part of the river. The news sparked an outcry from local residents and officials. Opponents warned of the project's environmental and economic toll and pointed to low and declining crossing rates in the Big Bend area.
