Republican Sen. John Cornyn has expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s ongoing construction of a border wall through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas. In a letter released on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Cornyn warned that the border barrier could disrupt the natural beauty, indigenous sites, wildlife, and tourism in these protected areas.

Cornyn highlighted that many local residents fear the physical wall, along with its associated lighting systems, access roads, and maintenance corridors, would damage the park's landscape and wildlife, threaten culturally significant Native American sites, disrupt wildlife migration, limit access to the Rio Grande River, and significantly harm the local economy, which heavily depends on tourism.

He also noted that residents believe the natural terrain may already serve as an effective barrier to illegal immigration. Cornyn’s letter comes amid the start of wall construction at the national park, which is known for its mountain ranges, river canyons, and desert landscape along the bend of the Rio Grande.

Earlier in 2026, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem waived several environmental laws to expedite the border wall construction in the region. The border wall has been a key political priority for former President Trump, especially during his first term.

Cornyn’s statement follows his recent loss in a GOP primary to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was supported by Trump. Cornyn has also been involved in negotiations over confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general.

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