CBP Pauses Border Construction at Big Bend National Park

Construction on a controversial border security project in Big Bend National Park has been temporarily halted, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced on Monday, August 17, 2026. The pause comes after months of bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, local officials, and conservation groups over the project's potential impact on the Texas national park.

Scott confirmed in a post on X that he had paused all construction activity as of Sunday night, August 16, and was traveling to the park to conduct a personal, on-the-ground evaluation. He stated he would meet with local law enforcement, community members, and stakeholders over the next few days. "CBP is firmly committed to protecting America, and that includes our national treasures like Big Bend National Park," Scott wrote. "We know the current and predictable national security threats, and they are real."

The project, part of a broader $1.7 billion border security initiative in the region, has faced sustained opposition. Earlier this year, CBP announced plans for a 30-foot physical wall through parts of the park, which prompted immediate backlash. The agency later revised its plans to focus on patrol...