Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Approval to Build Big Bend Wall

Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 6:39 am – 10:00 am AEST

The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to allow resumption of border wall construction in the Big Bend region of West Texas, citing high illegal alien crossings and drug smuggling. Construction was temporarily paused due to legal challenges and concerns about environmental impact.

What happened

• The Trump administration, through the Justice Department, asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower court injunction blocking construction of a border wall and related infrastructure in the Big Bend Sector of Texas.
• The injunction, issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone, halted construction following a lawsuit by environmental groups and local challengers.
• The Justice Department argued that the injunction frustrated the government’s ability to stop illegal crossings and drug smuggling, citing high rates in the region.
• Construction of a 47-mile stretch of wall began last month, alongside the planned construction of 300 miles of barriers and roads.
• The project includes vehicle barriers, patrol roads, lighting, and detection technology, with a 30-foot bollard wall planned from Fort Quitman to Closed Canyon.
• The administration invoked a 1996 immigration law to waive legal requirements and expedite construction, arguing it was necessary to deter illegal crossings.
• However, Judge Cardone found the waivers exceeded the authority of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and current Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who issued the waivers.
• CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott paused construction inside Big Bend National Park until September 30th in response to public backlash.

Original reporting

• CBS News: Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow border wall construction to resume in Big Bend region
  2026-10-21T20:39:00+00:00
• Al Jazeera: Trump administration seeks Supreme Court approval to build Big Bend wall
  2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00
• Washington Examiner: Trump asks Supreme Court to lift block on Big Bend border wall construction
  2026-10-21T21:42:25+00:00