A Border Wall in the Big Bend? Why No One Wants a Wall in the Big Bend

Why a Border Wall in Big Bend Could Harm Wildlife, Ranchers, and Tourism

Traveling to Terlingua and Lajitas, Texas, Bishop Michael Hunn speaks with Mike Wallens about proposed border wall expansion in the Big Bend near Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Wallens argues a physical wall is unnecessary and impractical because the Rio Grande’s winding course would force construction inside the U.S., cutting ranchers and farmers off from water access, blocking wildlife movement, and potentially undermining tourism and river guiding by restricting access to the river and emergency routes. They discuss migrant rescues and deaths in the rugged canyons, and contend the wall offers little operational benefit in remote areas where response-time delays are meaningless. Instead, they point to existing technology—sensors, cameras, drones, and solar-powered rescue beacons—as the effective “wall,” noting broad local opposition that has united residents across political divides.

00:00 Road Trip Setup

01:24 Why a Wall Fails Here

02:37 Humanitarian Reality

03:51 Ranching Wildlife Tourism Costs

04:26 Community Unites Against It

05:42 Security Logic in Remote Terrain

07:57 Tech and Rescue Alternatives

09:15 CBP Agents and Final Verdict