Trump Administration Begins Border Wall Construction in West Texas

The Trump administration began constructing a 30-foot steel bollard border wall in Hudspeth County, Texas, on September 15, 2026. The project, designated as Big Bend 1, covers a 47-mile stretch of the broader 500-mile Big Bend region. This effort is part of a $46.5 billion initiative to install a smart wall featuring fencing, vehicle barriers, patrol roads, and sensors.

United States Customs and Border Protection reports it has doubled its construction pace to an average of 12 miles per week, completing 200 miles of new barriers since the current administration took office. While work has progressed in Hudspeth County, construction remains temporarily paused in Big Bend National Park following public backlash and to facilitate dialogue with opponents.

The project faces intense opposition from landowners, ranchers, and environmental groups who argue the remote region has historically low illegal crossing rates. A coalition of landowners and the nonprofit Conserve Big Bend filed a federal lawsuit to stop construction, alleging illegal waivers of environmental laws. The No Big Bend Wall Coalition has vowed to continue fighting the project regardless of the legal outcome.