CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott halted construction at Big Bend National Park to hear from local Texans before deciding how to proceed with border security infrastructure.
The Trump administration paused construction work on the border security project at Big Bend National Park on Monday so Customs and Border Protection leadership can personally review conditions on the ground and hear from local Texans. The move reflects a careful, measured approach to securing the southern border while protecting one of the state's most treasured landscapes.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott announced the pause in a video posted to X, saying he ordered all construction activity stopped before flying in for a personal evaluation.
"I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes, until I can get down there and do a personal evaluation, talk to some stakeholders, talk to some local law enforcement in that area," Scott said. "More to follow this week."
Scott landed in Texas on Sunday night and immediately halted the work. Over the next few days he plans to meet with local leadership, community members, law enforcement and other stakeholders to discuss the project and the security threats CBP is working to address.
The pause is a sign the administration is willing to listen even as it pushes forward on the border security infrastructure it is determined to complete. Scott made clear the security concerns driving the project are real, while emphasizing that CBP is committed to protecting Big Bend for generations to come.
"We know the current and predictable national security threats and they are real," Scott said, adding that his evaluation will ensure America secures its borders while protecting the park. He and a small team will evaluate the terrain and hear directly from local leaders before deciding how to proceed.
Contrary to some claims, the project is not a 30-foot wall slicing through the park. CBP scrapped that plan earlier this year. The current work involves a new access road, improvements to existing roads, vehicle barriers, lighting and detection technology, including buried fiber-optic cables, to help agents monitor some of the most remote stretches of the border.
"We are not building a 30-foot wall or stadium lighting through Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, or the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area," Scott said.
The infrastructure is designed to help agents detect illegal crossings, respond faster and assist visitors in danger. Bulldozers had begun survey and design work earlier this month, which is when public lands advocates raised concerns about the impact on the rugged desert landscape.
Governor Greg Abbott said Monday he is confident federal officials can secure both the park and the nation's southern border. Abbott said he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and received assurances there will be no wall or fence through the park.
The project has drawn bipartisan pushback, but the administration's decision to pause and review shows it is taking those concerns seriously rather than ignoring local voices. Scott said CBP remains "firmly committed to protecting America, and that includes our national treasures like Big Bend National Park."
For Texans, the park is a point of pride. It is home to the famed Santa Elena Canyon, hundreds of bird species, bobcats and black bears, and it draws visitors from across the country. The administration's willingness to balance security with stewardship has been welcomed by many in the region.
Scott said he would provide an update in the coming days after completing his evaluation. The pause is temporary, and the administration remains focused on the broader mission of securing the southern border.
The episode underscores the balance the administration is trying to strike: strong border enforcement paired with respect for the communities and landscapes along the border. If the review goes as planned, the project will move forward in a way that protects both national security and one of Texas' most iconic natural wonders.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott halted construction at Big Bend National Park to hear from local Texans before deciding how to proceed with border security infrastructure.
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