The Trump administration is temporarily pausing construction of a controversial border security project in Big Bend National Park in southern Texas. This pause occurs while the head of the agency tasked with building the wall visits Texas to conduct an on-the-ground evaluation.
The $1.7 billion project broke ground earlier this month, with bulldozers beginning to clear land in one of the least-crossed stretches of the US-Mexico border. The administration plans to build patrol roads and vehicle barriers across the park.
The project has faced fierce bipartisan opposition from across the political spectrum. Critics argue that the construction mars a pristine environmental area known for its spectacular views and rich biodiversity, including black bears, bobcats, and hundreds of species of birds. Furthermore, opponents claim that the region's rugged and remote terrain already serves as a deterrent to smugglers and migrants.