Story perspectives

Texas Landowners Sue DHS Over Big Bend Wall Plans

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 10:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Texas landowners sued U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection over Big Bend wall plans.
Plaintiffs argue DHS’s “high illegal entry” label ignores CBP statistics.
CBP data show Big Bend accounted for about 1 % of arrests, the lowest among Southwest sectors for 53 years.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott halted all ground-disturbing work in Big Bend National Park through Sept 30.

History

Historical Context

After the Mexican-American War and the 1853 Gadsden Purchase set the present border, the U.S. began erecting barriers, culminating in the Secure Fence Act of 2006—signed by President George W. Bush and authorizing 700 miles of fence. By 2011 DHS had installed roughly 650 miles. Today Texas landowners sue DHS and CBP, citing Commissioner Rodney Scott’s September 30 halt to work in Big Bend National Park.

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Story summary

Texas landowners sued U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection over Big Bend wall plans.
Plaintiffs argue DHS’s “high illegal entry” label ignores CBP statistics.
CBP data show Big Bend accounted for about 1 % of arrests, the lowest among Southwest sectors for 53 years.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott halted all ground-disturbing work in Big Bend National Park through Sept 30.

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