Media & Press
Press Room
We provide journalists, researchers, and media organizations with verified data, AI-powered research tools, and direct access to our communications team.
In the News
Major reports, official documents, and investigative coverage of the Big Bend border wall since February 2026.
August 2026: Construction Begins & the Pause
Vogue·Aug 15, 2026
As Bulldozers Arrive at the Border in Big Bend, Here's What You Can Still Do to Protect the Park
Emma Specter's explainer accompanies a fashion editorial in Vogue's Summer 2026 print issue, photographed inside Big Bend National Park. The article quotes the Big Bend Protection Alliance's mission and points readers to ways to support the park.
CNN·Aug 13, 2026
Bulldozers rip into Big Bend National Park, driving anger and heartbreak
CNN's feature from the region documents the first days of heavy machinery inside the park and the community backlash that followed.
AFP News Agency·Aug 17, 2026
Locals push back on Trump border plans in Texas National Park
Agence France-Presse's on-the-ground video report from Big Bend, including an interview with Big Bend Protection Alliance executive director Jake Knight. Syndicated internationally, including by the National Post.
AFP via France 24·Aug 17, 2026
US pauses construction of border project in Texas national park
The AFP wire story on the construction pause, quoting BBPA executive director Jake Knight. Carried worldwide, including by RFI, La Presse (Montréal, in French), The Straits Times (Singapore), Yahoo News, and Fox affiliates.
CNN·Aug 17, 2026
Feds halt controversial work on border security inside Big Bend National Park
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott pauses all construction in the park for a personal evaluation, after reporting by CNN and others and sustained local pressure. Also published in Spanish by CNN en Español.
ABC News·Aug 17, 2026
CBP pauses Big Bend National Park construction following lawsuits
ABC News on the pause and the mounting legal challenges seeking to halt the project.
The Wall Street Journal·Aug 17, 2026
Trump Administration Pauses Construction in Texas' Big Bend National Park
The Journal's report on the pause, which also ran in the August 18 print edition. Subscription required.
Official Documents & Press Releases
Federal Register·Feb 17, 2026
DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver (Big Bend Sector)
The formal legal filing where then-Secretary Kristi Noem waived 28 federal laws to expedite construction.
DHS.gov·Feb 17, 2026
Parsons Government Services Inc. Contract Announcement
Announcement of the private sector partnership to oversee the $46.5 billion project.
In-Depth Investigative Reporting
Texas Public Radio / Texas Tribune·Dec 19, 2024
As landowners resist, Texas' border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas
Investigation revealing how landowner resistance has forced Texas to build fragmented wall sections in remote areas, with only 50 of 805 designated miles completed at costs up to $41 million per mile.
Inside Climate News·Feb 17–22, 2026
Border Wall Closes in on Big Bend
Breakdown of the "Smart Wall" versus physical barriers and the impact on Native American history and biodiversity.
Marfa Public Radio·Feb 18, 2026
Border wall plans now set to include Big Bend National Park
The first outlet to report on the updated CBP maps showing 112 miles of primary wall within the park boundaries.
The Big Bend Sentinel·Feb 18, 2026
Feds waive environmental protections to fast-track Big Bend wall
Focuses on the "immediate need" cited by DHS and the threat to popular recreational sites like the Hot Springs Historic District.
Sierra·Aug 13, 2026
The Big Bend Region Is Losing Irreplaceable Pieces of US History
Margret Grebowicz reports on the archaeological record in the construction corridor: only 17 percent has ever been surveyed, and that fraction alone held 360 recorded sites, more than 130 of them inside the national park and over 20 with evidence of human remains.
Advocacy & Regional Impact
National Parks Conservation Association·Feb 18, 2026
NPCA Response to Big Bend Border Wall Plans
Formal statement from regional director Cary Dupuy on the $60 million economic threat to the local tourism economy.
Texas Standard / KUT News·Feb 6–20, 2026
The Big Bend may soon get a section of physical border wall
Interviews with local landowners about the use of eminent domain and secret requests for proposals (RFPs).
KSAT 12 News·Feb 20, 2026
Advocates decry intent to waive regulations
Visual report on the 175-mile stretch and local protests against the "steel curtain."
Press Inquiries
For interview requests, data inquiries, statements, or any media-related questions, fill out the form below. We typically respond within 24 hours. You can also call our 24/7 line at (432) 248-0002 for a recorded update from the region. For interviews and statements, please use the form.
Press Research Tools
We have built AI-powered research tools specifically for journalists and researchers covering the Big Bend border wall story.
PressTools.ai
AI-Powered Investigative Research Platform
PressTools.ai is our dedicated research platform built for journalists. It provides instant access to verified government data, legal filings, contract records, and environmental impact assessments, all indexed and searchable through a natural language interface.
827+ Sources
Verified citations
Gov Reports
Legal filings & data
AI-Powered
Natural language search
What You Can Research
- •CBP apprehension data and border crossing statistics for the Big Bend Sector
- •Parsons Government Services contract history, fraud settlements, and securities filings
- •DHS law waivers and environmental impact assessments
- •Historical border policy decisions affecting the Big Bend region
- •Ecological and wildlife corridor impact studies
Key Facts
Federal laws waived
DHS waived 28 federal laws to fast-track border wall construction through Big Bend.
Of southwest border encounters
The Big Bend Sector accounts for just 2.6% of all southwest border encounters.
Parsons contract value
Parsons Government Services was awarded $609.4M despite a 30-year record of contract failures.
National Park land threatened
116 miles of wildlife corridors in Big Bend National Park are threatened by wall construction.
About the Organization
This website is published by the Big Bend Protection Alliance (BBPA), a registered 501(c)(3) Texas nonprofit corporation dedicated to environmental conservation and education in the Big Bend region.