Court Blocks Trump’s Border Barrier Construction at Big Bend

What happened: A federal judge has temporarily halted construction of the Trump administration’s illegal border barrier — often referred to as a border wall — in Big Bend National Park.

The court’s decision follows an amicus brief Earthjustice filed on behalf of two environmental groups in support of the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit to permanently stop illegal construction through the park. But on Wednesday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to lift the temporary block so it could continue construction on the more than 500-mile project.

Why it matters: The Trump administration’s attack on the national park is the latest in a series of actions it’s taken to undermine the law in ways that harm protected landscapes, waterways, wildlife, and communities.

What’s Special About Big Bend National Park?

• Wildlife and Biodiversity: Big Bend has more species of birds, bats, butterflies, ants, and scorpions than any other national park in the United States. The park is one of the most biologically diverse desert ecosystems in the world, with more than 450 bird species and about 3,600 species of insects.
• The Rio Grande River runs through Big Bend, providing a critical water habitat for fish, amphibians, and other wildlife. It also supports the well-being of neighboring communities.
• Local Tourism Economy: Some 560,000 people visit the park annually, hiking, biking, and backpacking through 150 miles of trails over mountains and around mesas. Others canoe through deep canyons, visit on horseback, or go birding to spot Great Blue Herons, waterfowl, and Green Kingfishers. This stream of visitors contributed $56.8 million to the local economy in 2024 alone.

How does Trump’s border barrier threaten Big Bend?

• Destroying landscapes: The border barrier construction project has scarred the land, damaged wildlife habitat, and disrupted the experience for visitors.
• Violating environmental laws: The Department of Homeland Security issued waivers to illegally sidestep half a dozen environmental laws to build the barrier, avoiding environmental review altogether. By taking this action, the administration is illegally exceeding its authority and essentially repealing protections Congress placed on the Rio Grande nearly half a century ago.

What is Earthjustice doing to protect Big Bend?

• Securing a win in court: Earthjustice helped win a preliminary injunction temporarily halting border barrier construction, including bulldozing, and scarring precious desert land before this nationally treasured landscape is irreversibly harmed.
• What’s next: The judge who halted construction will decide whether to stop the project in Big Bend permanently. However, the Supreme Court could allow construction while the case plays out in the lower court.
• Part of a larger battle: This is one of many legal actions we’ve taken against the Trump administration to protect public lands. We are also in court fighting to protect marine monuments in Hawaiʻi, the Arctic Refuge in Alaska, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and many other places.