US EditionTexans Sue Trump Administration over Big Bend Border Wall Plans
The plaintiffs say the waivers let Customs and Border Protection sidestep environmental laws for a 150-mile barrier without clear congressional approval.
- On Thursday, advocacy groups and Terlingua resident Danny William Miller filed a lawsuit in El Paso challenging the Trump administration's use of regulatory waivers to bypass environmental laws for border wall construction in the Big Bend region.
- Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem waived over two dozen federal laws in February to clear the way for a 150-mile border barrier through West Texas, including Big Bend National Park and the adjoining Big Bend Ranch State Park.
- Citing the 'major questions doctrine,' the lawsuit argues the administration requires congressional approval for such projects, noting the Supreme Court previously mandated the White House seek legislative authorization before taking sweeping economic actions.
- Customs and Border Protection officials have recently indicated they plan to install 'detection technology' in the area rather than pursuing a physical wall, though the Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing the legal challenge.
- Representing just 1.3% of total apprehensions in fiscal year 2025, the Big Bend Sector is the least busy of nine border zones, yet plaintiffs allege the proposed wall would 'cleave through the Chihuahuan Desert and sever public access to iconic sections of the Rio Grande.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Texas Standard
Big Bend residents and national environmental group sue Trump administration over border wall plan
A West Texas river guide and church preservation group, along with a national advocacy group, argue in a lawsuit filed Thursday that the administration illegally bypassed a range of environmental protection laws as it plans a 175-mile stretch of border wall in the state’s Big Bend region.
Defense groups and a resident of West Texas filed Thursday a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for circumventing environmental laws to accelerate its efforts to build a border barrier in the Big Bend area along the Rio Grande – known as Rio Bravo on the Mexican side – arguing that the bill is not only illegal, but that a wall “will destroy emblematic sections of the Rio Grande corridor.” “I’ve been leading the river for more than two deca…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
