Supreme Court lifts pause on border construction in Big Bend, Texas

On November 9, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to proceed with constructing a section of the border wall in Big Bend National Park, Texas. This decision overturned a previous injunction by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone that had halted construction based on environmental concerns. The project aims to fill one of the largest remaining gaps along the Texas-Mexico border, spanning over 300 miles, primarily on privately owned land. Environmental groups and local residents challenged the move, arguing it would damage the environment and historic sites, but the Supreme Court ruled that federal law permits DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to waive environmental protections for expedited construction. Only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented without an explanation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated they do not plan to build within the national park itself but will add patrol roads and vehicle barriers instead.