CBP bends to public pressure on Big Bend, Abbott takes credit

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Big Bend National Park, Texas — All border security construction inside Big Bend National Park is being temporarily suspended, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott posted to X on Monday.

Hours later, Gov. Greg Abbott said federal officials had promised him no barrier of any kind would be built in the park at all.

Previously silent on the project, Abbott is now claiming credit for the pause while advocates warn construction is "likely to resume at any moment."
We reported earlier that a CBP document from June proposed 17 noncontiguous miles 4-to-6-foot-high vehicle fencing in Brewster County alongside roughly 205 miles of patrol road up to 24 feet wide. Plans for a 30-foot wall through Big Bend were dropped in March.

"I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes until I can get down there and do a personal evaluation," Scott said in the video posted to X. He said he would "talk to some stakeholders, talk to local law enforcement in that area, and more to follow this week."

CBP is pausing all construction activity in Big Bend National Park while I visit and conduct a personal, on-the-ground evaluation.

CBP is firmly committed to protecting America, and that includes our national treasures like Big Bend National Park (BBNP). We know the current and… pic.twitter.com/UkmzvTluwH
— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) August 17, 2026

Abbott says no barriers will be built

Speaking in Waco at an event about his plans for education in the state, Abbott said the pause was a result of his conversation with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Without confirming details, Abbott appears to suggest that the planned vehicle fencing will not be built after all.

"So as it concerns what's going on in Big Bend National Park over the weekend, I spoke with the Secretary of Homeland Security, and he committed to me that they will not be building a wall or a fence in Big Bend National Park," Abbott said at the event in Waco on Monday. "With regard to the announcement today of the pause, that seems to be a consequence of my conversation with the secretary this weekend. There are technology tools. That don't include barriers where they can gather information. Think of drones, think of fiber optics, different things like that that don't involve any type of barrier."

NEW: Governor @GregAbbott_TX says the construction pause in Big Bend National Park is a “consequence” of his conversation with @SecMullinDHS over the weekend where he committed to scrapping any barrier construction in the park—There was not going to be a 30 foot wall, but it… pic.twitter.com/HYVl8GejlT
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) August 17, 2026

Marfa Public Radio flyover saw construction halted

Travis Bubenik, a reporter with Marfa Public Radio, flew over Big Bend National Park on Monday morning and saw no construction underway.

Bubenik spotted heavy machinery parked at the head of what looked like a newly cut path branching off an existing road.

This morning @MarfaRadio took a flight over Big Bend National Park, just before @CBPCommissioner said he'd paused border construction.

We saw heavy machinery idled near Mariscal Mountain, and areas there where it appeared contractors had recently cleared land: pic.twitter.com/gCbFux8D8B
— Travis Bubenik (@travisbubenik) August 17, 2026

Activists warn construction could restart

The construction pause comes after sustained pressure from residents, environmental advocates and both Republican and Democratic elected officials.

Laiken Jordahl, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, spoke with Marfa Public Radio about the pause and warned that construction is "likely to resume at any moment."

"This temporary pause proves how much non-partisan public pressure is mounting in West Texas and across America to stop the irreversible destruction unfolding in this crown jewel national park,” Jordahl told Marfa Public Radio. "We’re not resting until these contracts are canceled, these workers are sent packing, the waivers are rescinded and every wall plan for the greater Big Bend region is scrapped for good."

Marfa Public Radio: Trump administration pauses border construction in Big Bend National Park

Previously on ATA

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About The Author

Award-winning journalist Pablo De La Rosa reports from the Texas-Mexico border, where he was born and raised. He covers stories from the Rio Grande Valley and North Tamaulipas.