{
  "id": 13127047,
  "title": "‘If we had rolled over, the wall would be up’: Texas landowners sue and protest against Trump’s $46 billion border project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/if-we-had-rolled-over-the-wall-would-be-up-texas-landowners-sue-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T13:34:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/10/09/trump-border-wall-texas-landowners-big-bend/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump's administration has embarked on a $46 billion border wall project extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. However, in Texas' Big Bend region, landowners are vehemently opposing the government's actions, viewing the wall as a misuse of taxpayer funds. The administration, despite the historically low illegal crossings and formidable natural barriers in the area, has moved forward with the project, using sweeping authority to bypass environmental and other restrictions. The resistance from landowners has slowed the project significantly, according to David Keller, a landowner fighting the construction. The administration acknowledges the opposition but maintains that the wall is necessary to maintain low illegal crossings. In August, the Border Patrol made 8,870 arrests along the southern border, with only 161 in Big Bend, a region that covers about a quarter of the entire U.S.-Mexico border. The administration plans to spend $7.5 billion to fortify the border in the region, stretching over 500 miles. A federal judge has temporarily halted construction in the Big Bend area, citing overstepping congressional authority and waiving environmental regulations. Landowners, such as Dianna and Dan Burbach, are preparing for legal battles, willing to take the government to court in order to protect their property rights. The administration has reached agreements with dozens of landowners, but is also hiring eminent domain attorneys in anticipation of disputes.",
  "summary": "They are refusing to give up land in Big Bend for the border wall, forcing the Justice Department toward eminent-domain fights",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}