Politics
• Analysis
Federal judge temporarily blocks Big Bend border wall expansion
US district judge Kathleen Cardone has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from expanding the Big Bend border wall and other security infrastructure across the west Texas region, after a Friday hearing in El Paso. Her order also stops the DHS waivers that had suspended dozens of environmental and historical protection laws to speed construction.
By Haut Monde Post
• October 3, 2026
• 3 Min Read
What the ruling does
US district judge Kathleen Cardone's order, reported on 2 October 2026, followed a Friday hearing in El Paso. She blocked the DHS waivers, saying the plaintiffs were likely to win and would suffer irreparable harm if construction moved forward.
The order bars CBP from border security infrastructure construction or ground disturbance unless the work complies with the federal laws the DHS tried to suspend. The temporary block covers plans to expand the wall and other security infrastructure across the Big Bend region of west Texas.
The lawsuit behind the order
Cardone acted in a lawsuit filed by the Friends of the Ruidosa church, the Center for Biological Diversity and river guide Billy Miller. The suit challenges several DHS waivers that suspended dozens of environmental and historical protection laws to speed construction. The Trump administration began advancing the border wall construction earlier this year.
Why Big Bend, and what is planned
The disputed plans include new roads and 6-ft tall vehicle barriers through Big Bend national park. CBP has already awarded five contracts for Big Bend totaling more than $6bn, expanding what the agency calls the "smart wall": a mix of 30-ft steel bollard fencing, vehicle barriers and surveillance technology.
- •Congress included $46.5bn for border wall construction in last year's "big, beautiful" spending bill
- •That funding steered CBP toward the Big Bend region, home to the longest unwalled stretch along the US-Mexico border
- •Landowners and local political leaders say unauthorized crossings are already rare there because of the region's remoteness, the lack of nearby cities on the Mexican side and prominent cliffs that make crossing difficult through many stretches
Backlash, reactions and next steps
The plans have triggered furious backlash and public protests, with objections from local business owners, landowners, public land advocates and politicians from both parties. Public anger spiked in August, when images showed bulldozers plowing up ground for new roads at the park. CBP commissioner Rodney Scott responded by temporarily halting construction, but work resumed in September.
Laiken Jordahl, a public land advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, called the ruling a historic victory for Big Bend.
"This is a historic victory for Big Bend and everyone who loves this wild corner of Texas."
Jordahl said no administration has the right to destroy a crown-jewel national park for political theatre, and warned that the fight is far from over. His group, he said, will not rest until Big Bend's environmental protections are fully restored and the illegal waiver that allowed so much destruction is gone for good.
A CBP spokesperson said in an email that the agency stands by its assessment and remains confident in its legal authorities to secure the border, and is working with the Department of Justice on next steps. For now, the temporary block on the Big Bend border wall expansion holds.
