The Trump administration has started construction of the Big Bend border wall in West Texas.
The first steel panels were installed in Hudspeth County on September 15. The project is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to expand barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to a report by Associated Press, construction has begun along a 47-mile stretch known as Big Bend 1. The project is part of a larger plan covering roughly 500 miles of the Big Bend region.
What Happened
Customs and Border Protection said border wall panel installation is underway in Hudspeth County.
The first panels were installed on September 15. The steel sections are approximately 30 feet tall.
The Big Bend region stretches from Hudspeth County, south of El Paso, toward Lake Amistad. Much of the area has historically remained without a border wall because of its remote terrain, including steep cliffs and desert landscapes.
The new construction is part of the administration’s broader border infrastructure program. The program includes walls, vehicle barriers, roads and surveillance technology.
Key Details of the Big Bend Border Wall
47-Mile Construction Area
The first project area, known as Big Bend 1, covers 47 miles in Hudspeth County.
CBP has divided the roughly 500-mile Big Bend region into five separate project areas.
The initial barrier is made up of tall steel panels. The administration says its broader border strategy combines physical barriers with technology to strengthen border security.
$46 Billion Border Infrastructure Plan
The Big Bend project is part of a roughly $46 billion federal plan to expand border infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border.
CBP said it is now building an average of 12 miles of barriers each week across the approximately 2,000-mile southern border.
The agency has also reported reaching 200 miles of new barriers since the second Trump administration took office.
According to AP, that pace is about twice the rate previously cited by CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Big Bend National Park Project Remains Suspended
The construction in Hudspeth County is separate from another border infrastructure project in nearby Big Bend National Park.
That project has been temporarily suspended while the administration engages with opponents.
The pause followed criticism from environmental groups, local residents and some Texas officials over proposed construction in the nationally protected landscape.
Opposition and Local Concerns
The Big Bend border wall has faced opposition from landowners, ranchers, environmental organizations and business owners.
Critics argue that the region is remote and has historically experienced relatively low levels of unauthorized border crossings.
They have also raised concerns about private property, access to the Rio Grande and potential environmental damage.
Clara Benson, a founder of the No Big Bend Wall Coalition, said activists would continue challenging construction after the first panels were installed.
The coalition has also been working with lawmakers and local officials to oppose additional projects.
The Guardian reported separately that some landowners have raised concerns about government efforts to secure access to properties needed for future construction. Those disputes could affect efforts to build a continuous barrier.
Political and Immigration Impact
The Big Bend border wall is part of Trump’s broader immigration and border security agenda.
The administration has made expanding physical barriers a central part of its strategy for strengthening control of the southern border.
The faster construction pace could allow additional sections to move forward in areas that previously had little or no permanent wall infrastructure.
However, Big Bend presents different challenges from more populated areas along the border.
The region’s remote geography, private land ownership and protected public lands have created disputes over where and how new infrastructure should be built.
What Happens Next
Construction in Hudspeth County is expected to continue as CBP moves forward with the broader Big Bend project.
However, opposition from landowners, environmental groups and local communities could affect the timing and scope of future construction.
The administration must also decide how to proceed with the separate project in Big Bend National Park, where construction remains paused.
The Big Bend border wall marks a new phase of the Trump administration’s border construction program. It also highlights ongoing disputes over private property, environmental protection and federal immigration policy.
How quickly CBP can secure access to additional properties and expand construction across the region will shape the next stage of the project.
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FAQs
The first construction is underway in a 47-mile section of Hudspeth County in West Texas known as Big Bend 1.
The broader border infrastructure program includes about $46 billion for walls, barriers, roads and border technology.