Posts about Department of Homeland Security

Photo ©Rebecca L. Latson

"I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition"

I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition in their mission to secure official Wilderness designation for Big Bend National Park's untouched backcountry. This fight isn't new—the National Park Service first championed it in 1974, during my tenure as Director, and reaffirmed the call in 1978. Now, it's time for Congress to act. By enshrining permanent, statutory protection, we can ensure Big Bend’s breathtaking landscapes remain shielded from policy shifts or development threats. It's heartening to see the backing of former NPS Directors, united in our commitment to safeguarding America's wilderness legacy so future generations can continue to embrace its solitude, beauty, and ecological richness."

~ Ronald H. Walker, NPS Director 1973-1975

The Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park by Gary Nored, Wikimedia Creative Commons

NewsWest9 | ‘This victory is so historic’ | Plaintiffs describe judge’s halt of Big Bend border construction

Laiken Jordahl describes the major federal order halting border construction in the Big Bend as one of the greatest moments of his life. On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge[…]

Bulldozers arrived at Big Bend National Park. Newsweek.

Newsweek | Big Bend Border Construction To Resume, Texas Conservationists Vow To Fight

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allowed a temporary pause on border construction projects in the Big Bend region of Texas to expire, clearing the way for work[…]

Bulldozer in Big Bend National Park - Credit: Natalie Newman

Our Public Lands and Waters | DHS Lifts Big Bend National Park Construction Pause, Remains Vague About Its Border Plans

On August 17, after bulldozers and excavators had spent several days plowing their way through pristine native vegetation and wildlife habitat along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, U.S.[…]

Construction of the Trump administration’s border barrier project procedes at Mariscal Mountain in Big Bend National Park in Texas on August 15, 2026. (Photo by Laiken Jordah/Clenter for Biological Diversity)

Common Dreams | Conservationists Vow Court Fight as DHS Lifts Pause on Big Bend Border Construction

The Trump administration on Wednesday allowed a temporary pause on border construction in and around Big Bend National Park in Texas to expire, prompting renewed vows from conservationists and other opponents to fight[…]

Construction crews work on a new section of the border wall between Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, this January. Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images

Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks and Keep Big Bend Wild’s Statement on End of Construction Pause

With DHS’ announcement that the “pause” on construction of border barriers inside Big Bend National Park will be unilaterally lifted after today, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks[…]

Alpine, Texas, Photo by Dave Hensley, Wikimedia Creative Commons

The Big Bend Sentinel | Head of Homeland Security was a no-show for planned meeting with county judges

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin had invited border county judges to a Wednesday meeting to discuss border wall projects, but he didn’t show up, instead leaving staff[…]

The Rio Grande runs through Cañón de Santa Elena, Mexico, on the left and Big Bend National Park, U.S., on the right. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rio Grande Guardian | Cornyn: The requests of border leaders seem very reasonable to me

Texas has always worked cooperatively with the Department of Homeland Security on border security, and we fully support strong border security measures to stop the flow of illegal aliens,[…]

Texas judges are calling on DHS to increase transparency around plans for border wall construction in Big Bend / Rebecca Latson.

The Hill | Texas state lawmakers urge Abbott to help stop CBP barrier construction in Big Bend National Park

Dozens of Texas lawmakers earlier this week urged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to put a stop to the Trump administration’s plans to build border barrier installations at Big Bend National Park. 

Photo by Natalie Newman via No Big Bend Wall.

The Texan | Big Bend Border Wall Project Sparks Backlash, Confusion from Residents and Texas Officials

Bulldozers broke ground in Big Bend National Park last week, as public backlash continues to build against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity in the park.  Last fall, then-Secretary of Homeland[…]

Support Keep Big Bend Wild

Click this button to add your name to the growing list of individuals, businesses, and organizations supporting a wilderness designation for the undeveloped lands of Big Bend National Park.

If you would also be willing to help support Keep Big Bend Wild financially please click Donate. 

Every contribution helps defray the cost of our volunteers to produce materials and travel to meetings to build awareness and strengthen our coalition. 

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Images © Rebecca Latson.

Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834