CBP weighs scaling back Big Bend border construction

A federal judge temporarily barred ground-disturbing work on the Trump administration’s border project in the Big Bend region while a lawsuit proceeds, finding challengers likely to prevail on at least one claim and at risk of irreparable harm. The suit, brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Ruidosa Church and a local river guide, argues that the project and waivers of federal laws are unconstitutional and threaten private property, cultural resources and the environment. The ruling came as Customs and Border Protection was considering changes to reduce the project’s scope and environmental impacts; officials had expected to finalize plans in early October, with work not expected to begin for several weeks. The broader plan has drawn bipartisan and local opposition over proposed roads, vehicle barriers, lighting and other security measures, after the administration abandoned plans for a 30-foot wall through the park. The administration had separately said it was resuming construction on private land west of the park, including a proposed fence.