The office of Gov. Greg Abbott told a West Texas official it does not have jurisdiction over federal proposals for a border wall in the Big Bend region, according to correspondence shared publicly this week.
In a letter addressed to Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster, the governor’s office acknowledged receiving a resolution expressing concerns about the potential construction of a border wall in the region. The letter thanked local officials for their service and said the correspondence had been forwarded to policy advisers for review.
“Governor Abbott has no jurisdiction over proposals that are being considered at the federal level,” the letter states. “We appreciate you sharing your perspective on this matter.”
The response emphasized that the governor “has the best interest of all Texans in mind” but did not outline any specific state-level actions related to the issue.
The letter has drawn criticism from some state and local leaders in West Texas. State Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, said the response reflects a lack of leadership and advocacy for communities in the region.
“Governor Abbott has the means to pick up the phone and fight for West Texas,” Morales said in a social media post. “Instead, he is passing the buck and handing Texas and our communities over to the whim of the federal government.”
Morales added that many residents have been asking about the governor’s position and argued the correspondence suggests state assistance is unlikely.
Debate over border infrastructure in the Big Bend region has intensified in recent years, with local governments, landowners and conservation groups raising concerns about environmental impacts, private property rights and economic effects tied to tourism.
The governor’s office did not indicate whether it plans additional engagement with federal officials or local governments on the issue.
