1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the construction of traditional steel border walls in the Big Bend region of Texas, particularly through Big Bend Ranch State Park and areas near Presidio and Redford. This project threatens to irreversibly damage one of Texas's most unique landscapes while providing minimal security benefit in an area already experiencing record-low migrant apprehensions. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's Federal Register postings between October and November authorized approximately 175 miles of wall stretching from Fort Quitman to Colorado Canyon River Put-In in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Contracts totaling $3.3 billion for 63 miles have already been awarded. This represents a dramatic departure from the previously promoted Smart Wall program, which promised to use terrain as a natural barrier supplemented by detection technology rather than physical walls. The environmental and economic consequences will be severe. Federal officials are seeking leases for construction staging areas that could cut off public access to popular destinations including the Hoodoos Trail and corresponding whitewater runs. Charlie Angell, who operates a river guide business in Polvo, faces losing his home and livelihood located within 100 feet of the river. As retired river ranger Marcos Paredes stated in 2017, this wall could undo decades of preservation work in one fell swoop. The Big Bend region's rugged terrain has naturally deterred wall construction for over a century. County Judge Joe Portillo, Presidio County Commissioners Deirdre Hisler and Susan Hays, and former commissioner David Beebe all oppose this project. During Trump's first term, Big Bend residents united across party lines against similar proposals, recognizing that the wall would devastate their community without addressing legitimate security concerns. I urge you to advocate for halting this construction and instead support less destructive alternatives like radar and camera systems that County Judge Portillo has requested be investigated. The Big Bend deserves protection, not destruction.