Supreme Court allows Trump border wall construction in Texas Big Bend
The US Supreme Court permitted the Trump administration to resume building a border barrier in Big Bend National Park on Monday.
Court halts lower court order
Justices halted a previous decision that had paused the project last month. The ruling came after an emergency request from the administration to suspend the stoppage. This action allows contractors to continue work immediately in the designated sector.
Legal basis and dissent
The unsigned five-page ruling noted that Congress permits waiving environmental laws for border security. Only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented among the nine members of the court. Plaintiffs argue construction diminishes their ability to use the area but the court rejected this claim.
Project scope and opposition
The designs feature over 300 miles of six-foot-tall vehicle barriers along with the necessary supporting roads. The administration relies on a 1996 law authorizing the homeland security secretary to waive requirements. Local residents warn construction could threaten livelihoods while the Center for Biological Diversity condemns the destruction.
Timeline and financial cost
Rodney Scott stated the wall is being built at about 12 miles a week. Officials expect completion by the end of Trump's second term. For these security upgrades, CBP has granted five contracts exceeding $6bn in value.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- The Hill
- The Guardian
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.