For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 30, 2026
Contact: Doug Gordon | do**@***************es.com
Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks and Keep Big Bend WIld Urge DHS To Extend Border Wall Construction Pause At Big Bend National Park
With DHS’ announcement that the “pause” on construction of border barriers inside Big Bend National Park will be unilaterally lifted after today, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and Keep Big Bend Wild issued the following comments.
Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks:
“We are disappointed, and urge the Department of Homeland Security to extend this pause. Continuing with construction of border barriers, roads, and associated infrastructure inside Big Bend National Park will do unprecedented damage to the park.
“Big Bend National Park stands out for its unique desert landscape. With more nesting bird species than any other national park, towering canyon walls, and the largest international dark sky reserve in the entire world, Big Bend is an integral addition to our nation’s natural heritage. The Trump Administration plan to build a border wall through the park threatens all of this, heightening flood risk, inundating the skies with lights, and cutting off migration patterns for wildlife. Building in Big Bend would be mutilating an extraordinary landscape at a massive cost to the taxpayer—with little ultimate benefit.”
Bob Krumenaker, Chair of Keep Big Bend Wild and the superintendent of Big Bend National Park from 2018-2023:
“Border Security already works in Big Bend National Park, without the need for intrusive construction. The Border Patrol, the National Park Service, and local sheriffs already operate an effective surveillance system with ground and aerial patrols and unobtrusive, wireless sensors. The rugged terrain, huge distances, and harsh desert weather in the national park and in Mexico across the RIo Grande make this the least active section of the entire southern border for illegal crossings. DHS has been directed to consult with stakeholders and come up with a new plan, and that has yet to happen. If they resume construction, they will be resuming destruction against the will of both the people and the federal courts.”
###