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Trump’s border chief defends planned wall in Texas’ Big Bend
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- A judge ordered a pause on border wall construction in Big Bend National Park, citing potential serious and irreparable harm to plaintiffs, leading the Trump administration to seek Supreme Court intervention to lift the order.
- The wall project in Big Bend faces bipartisan opposition, including from some Republicans, and the agency has paused construction to engage with locals and explore solutions that avoid damaging the park, with plans excluding tall steel walls.
- CBP Chief Mark Morgan emphasized the non-negotiable goal of protecting the country from illegal entry, highlighting concerns about cartel exploitation despite natural barriers in the region.
- CBP, responsible for border security and immigration enforcement, faced criticism for its involvement in city-based crackdowns last year, including a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, leading to reduced operations far from borders and increased ICE staffing.
- CBP is addressing new threats such as cartel use of drones for smuggling and surveillance along the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to impose temporary flight restrictions to counter unauthorized drone activity.
