1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am glad CBP paused construction inside Big Bend National Park, but a temporary pause is not enough. The contracts should be canceled, the environmental waivers rescinded, and the plans permanently abandoned—not merely renamed or moved. We need border security, but there are noninvasive ways to provide it: more Border Patrol agents trained for backcountry conditions, drones, sensors and other targeted technology. Big Bend does not need barriers, unnecessary patrol roads, mountain blasting or high-intensity lighting. Those measures would fragment habitat, damage fragile desert soil and cultural resources, disrupt wildlife, destroy dark skies and harm local tourism. The proposed road across Mariscal Mountain is especially irrational. It would connect the Talley and Solis river-access roads across terrain that currently functions as a natural barrier and is traversable mainly by experienced backcountry hikers. Bulldozing a road across it could make the area easier—not harder—for migrants to traverse. Federal officials have also forfeited public trust. Plans and maps repeatedly changed, officials minimized what was planned, and bulldozers began clearing protected land. We can see the maps, equipment and damage. Another promise to “evaluate” the project is not sufficient. Nor should the government spare only the national park while threatening hundreds of Texas landowners with access demands, acquisition or eminent domain for an unnecessary wall. Texans should not lose family land, river access or businesses for political theater. Please make the pause permanent, stop physical barriers and unnecessary roads throughout the Big Bend region, protect private landowners, restore damaged areas and redirect resources toward effective, minimally invasive security. You represent Texans. Please work for us—not for contractors or a predetermined wall-building agenda.