PEER is calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Inspector General to investigate billions of dollars in contracts awarded for border infrastructure projects in and around Big Bend National Park in Texas.
Here’s what’s happening — this remote stretch sees among the lowest crossing numbers anywhere on the southern border. For those of you unfamiliar with Big Bend National Park, it is one of the last truly dark, wild, undeveloped corners of the country.
Yet contractors with deep political ties to the president have landed more than $3 billion in contracts here. One award was quietly relabeled from “border wall” to “roads and technology” after public backlash, with no real explanation.
Meanwhile, DHS waived environmental laws in the park for this border infrastructure project, the first time that has ever happened in a national park. What’s going on is clear — taxpayer money is supporting a huge windfall for politically connected contractors for a project that no one wants.
There is some good news. A pause on construction was just announced because of near-universal opposition to the project in Texas. But the pause alone is not enough and may not last. We’re asking DHS to investigate the contracting process that led to this fiasco inside one of our country’s great national parks.
Read our full investigation request here.
Onward,
Tim Whitehouse
Executive Director
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