A West Texas revolt is reshaping President Trump’s border wall plans in the Big Bend sector. Axios reported that local opposition has cut the planned steel barrier mileage there to roughly 175 miles. The sector covers 517 miles of the southern border along the Rio Grande.
The resistance is focused on the physical wall, not border security overall. Local officials and residents argue the rugged terrain makes crossings difficult and say the project would harm the region. Concerns cited include watersheds, archeological sites, animal migration, dark night skies and private property values.
Axios reported that since last October there have been about 34,480 encounters at the southern border, with 892 in the Big Bend sector. It also said most of the sector’s mileage had been slated for barrier construction in February. As of mid-February, 35.9 miles of new border wall had been finished across the southern border.
The reduction suggests federal planners are responding to local pressure. A source familiar with the talks told Axios that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was assured there would not be a physical wall in Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park. Five border county sheriffs also urged federal officials to consult them and reconsider the approach.
A counterview is that the administration may still view a wall as part of broader border enforcement, even where local conditions differ. The article does not indicate whether the reduced mileage is final or whether construction plans could change again.