Two West Texas sheriffs spent part of Friday reviewing remote sections of the U.S.-Mexico border that federal officials are considering for future barrier construction, with both expressing skepticism that additional walls are needed in the rugged terrain.
Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson and Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland toured portions of the border where the Department of Homeland Security is evaluating potential barrier projects.
“God already gave us a natural barrier,” Cleveland wrote in a social media post following the visit. “Our focus should be on using technology to cover the time and distance challenges, not spending billions where it’s not needed.”
The sheriffs pointed to the region’s steep mountains, canyons and remote desert landscape as significant obstacles to illegal crossings. Much of the border in the Big Bend region runs through some of the most rugged terrain in Texas, including areas adjacent to Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande.
Rather than additional physical barriers, Cleveland said resources would be better spent on technology and surveillance tools that can help law enforcement monitor vast stretches of remote borderland.
Federal officials have not announced any final decisions regarding new barrier construction in the area. The visit comes as DHS continues evaluating border security infrastructure and enforcement strategies along various segments of the southern border.
The Big Bend region has long been the focus of debate over border security, with local officials often weighing the effectiveness of walls against the challenges posed by the area’s geography, remoteness and limited access routes.
