Construction activity has commenced at the mouth of the Santa Elena Canyon within Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. According to reports from activists who have documented the site, bulldozers are currently clearing ground as part of the federal government's multibillion-dollar border security expansion, often referred to as the "smart wall" project.

The project has generated significant local tension, as the 500-mile Big Bend region includes the state's largest and most-visited national park. While the project is framed by federal officials as a necessary security measure, environmental groups and activists have expressed concern regarding the impact of construction on the park's landscape and ecosystem.

Reporting on the situation varies significantly between outlets. The Guardian characterizes the development as "devastating," focusing on the physical disruption of the park's terrain and the opposition from activists. Conversely, the Washington Examiner's "Daily on Energy" newsletter did not provide coverage of the construction activity, instead focusing its editorial space on local events in Washington, D.C., such as a food festival. Consequently, there is no consensus between these sources regarding the necessity or the environmental consequences of the border work, as one outlet treats the construction as a major environmental and political story while the other omits the topic entirely.