Trump’s US$1.7b border wall hits a roadblock in Texas national park

President Donald Trump's administration has halted construction on a US$1.7 billion border project at Big Bend National Park in Texas, following fierce opposition from local residents and officials. The Department of Homeland Security plans to build vehicle barriers, patrol roads, lighting, and detection technology in the park, which is known for its spectacular views and rich biodiversity.

Bulldozers had already broken ground on the public lands when the decision was made to pause construction, pending a personal evaluation by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott. The project, awarded through a non-competitive process, has faced criticism from residents and local officials, including all 14 Texas border county judges, who signed an open letter supporting border security but advocating for more practical solutions.

The project has also been challenged by a lawsuit from the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, alleging that the waivers for environmental laws violated the Constitution.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.