BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK — CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott announced a pause in construction inside Big Bend National Park on August 18, 2026. The decision followed opposition from Texas Republican officials and local leaders regarding the Trump administration's plan to build an access road and vehicle barriers in the park.

The Trump administration plans to build 30-foot tall barriers on private land outside Big Bend National Park. Scott did not cancel the project or specify the duration of the pause. He stated the construction pause allows for meetings with sheriffs, county officials, and residents.

Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement saying the administration’s plan “is not smart border security.” Paxton said, “Texans know this stretch of our border better than anyone in Washington. Destroying one of our state’s greatest natural treasures with unnecessary roads and barriers is not smart border security.” He added, “We must always put Texans first. That means effective enforcement that protects our communities and supports our law enforcement while respecting the unique character of places like Big Bend and leaving our natural resources undisturbed for future generations.”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said he was glad federal officials were taking time “to hear the concerns of local landowners and law enforcement.” Cruz acknowledged that “the tools needed to secure the border in Big Bend are likewise different than those needed in a dense urban environment.” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy thanked CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott for the construction pause.

State Rep. Wes Virdell said, “To be honest with you, we’re in a general election coming up that’s going to be pretty tough.” Virdell said, “If people are watching Republicans not stand up for them down in South Texas, I think we’re going to lose the vote down there.” Virdell is one of three GOP state lawmakers who signed a letter asking the governor to intervene in the border construction plans.

Former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said, “It is a huge liability.” Patterson said, “This issue has become big, really big, and it’s going to become bigger.” He said, “In other words, we don’t have a problem.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has not publicly commented on the border wall plans in Big Bend. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has not publicly commented on the border wall plans in Big Bend.

Landowner David Keller received a letter from Customs and Border Protection requesting access to his property for survey of border wall construction in Redford, Texas, on June 4, 2026. Southwest Valley employees installed T posts and rope along a leveled area off a river access area from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park on Aug. 13, 2026.

Republicans voted to block an amendment by U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Veronica Escobar that sought to stop construction in Big Bend National Park.

The Big Bend Sector covers 77 Texas counties and 517 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Big Bend National Park is 801,163 acres. The park hugs 118 winding miles of the Rio Grande.

More than half a million people visit Big Bend National Park every year. The park protects more than 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals.

Why It Matters

The pause shows tension between border security infrastructure and conservation in a region with low recent crossing numbers but high historical apprehension totals. The Department of Homeland Security declared the Big Bend Sector an “area of high illegal entry” in February 2026, citing more than 89,000 apprehensions across the sector from fiscal 2021 through 2025. Total border security awards across the Big Bend Sector amount to $7.5 billion, with roughly $14.5 million in contracts granted for every mile of border in the sector.

By late 2025, CBP had deployed 55 autonomous surveillance towers and other detection technology across the Big Bend Sector. Migrant crossings in the Big Bend Sector plummeted 74% from 2023 to 2025. The federal government planned to build more than 100 miles of border wall through the Big Bend region, including inside Big Bend National Park. U.S. Rep. August Pfluger wrote on social media that “security and conservation are not mutually exclusive.” Pfluger encouraged CBP to work with local leaders and communities.

Timeline

The Big Bend Sector accounted for 1.3% of the 237,538 apprehensions recorded across the entire border last fiscal year as of September 30, 2025. CBP recorded 3,096 apprehensions in the Big Bend Sector last year as of September 30, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security declared the Big Bend Sector an “area of high illegal entry” in February 2026. DHS cited more than 89,000 apprehensions across the Big Bend Sector from fiscal 2021 through 2025 to support the high illegal entry designation. Through a notice on March 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status. The U.S. Department of Agriculture adopted a final rule on April 3, 2026, revising departmental regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and removing various USDA agency regulations for implementing NEPA.

What's New

Rodney Scott stated the construction pause allows for meetings with sheriffs, county officials, and residents. Rodney Scott did not cancel the project or specify the duration of the pause. U.S. Rep. Pfluger wrote on social media that “security and conservation are not mutually exclusive.” CBP recorded 3,096 apprehensions in the Big Bend Sector last year.

How Sources Differ

U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehension statistics state the Big Bend Sector accounted for 1.3% of the 237,538 apprehensions recorded across the entire border last fiscal year. The Department of Homeland Security designation notice states DHS cited more than 89,000 apprehensions across the Big Bend Sector from fiscal 2021 through 2025 to support the high illegal entry designation. Newsdata reports the federal government planned to build more than 100 miles of border wall through the Big Bend region, including inside Big Bend National Park.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector data states the Big Bend Sector covers 77 Texas counties and 517 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announcement states CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott announced a pause in construction inside Big Bend National Park. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection construction plan states the Trump administration plans to build 30-foot tall barriers on private land outside Big Bend National Park. Department of Homeland Security contract data states total border security awards across the Big Bend Sector amount to $7.5 billion. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection construction plan states the Trump administration plans to build an access road and vehicle barriers in Big Bend National Park. National Park Service geographic data states Big Bend National Park hugs 118 winding miles of the Rio Grande.