Former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said he has been told that current Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and the Texas General Land Office support the concept of a “virtual wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border but have “serious concerns” about constructing a physical barrier through the Big Bend region.
In a social media post, Patterson said Buckingham told him the agency is in discussions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies regarding border security approaches. Patterson, a Republican who served as land commissioner from 2003 to 2015, also said he has “personal knowledge” that some Republican donors and influencers oppose a physical wall in the Big Bend and that anti-wall sentiment is growing among GOP elected officials.
Patterson urged activists to keep the issue focused on what he described as the potential environmental and cultural impacts of a wall on the Big Bend region, which includes national parkland, ranches and sensitive ecological areas along the Rio Grande.
“Please avoid making this fight partisan or about any other issue than the terrible impact a physical wall will have on this Texas treasure,” Patterson wrote, invoking a phrase associated with former Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock: “God Bless Texas.”
The Texas General Land Office manages state-owned lands and has been involved in border-related initiatives, including land acquisition and coordination with federal authorities. The agency has not publicly detailed any final position regarding construction of a physical wall in the Big Bend area.
Debate over border barriers in West Texas has intensified in recent years, with opponents citing environmental damage, impacts on tourism and private property concerns, while supporters argue physical infrastructure is needed to deter illegal crossings and smuggling.
The Big Bend region, known for its remote terrain and scenic landscapes, has been a focal point of those discussions because large stretches include protected land and rugged geography that complicates construction.
