Big Bend border project blocked by US judge

A US federal judge has issued an emergency injunction blocking President Donald Trump's administration from restarting border barrier and road construction across the Big Bend region in Texas.

Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered that officials must not build border barriers or related infrastructure, or carry out construction or ground-disturbing work in the Big Bend Sector, until they comply with all applicable laws.

The Department of Homeland Security plans to build vehicle barriers, patrol roads, lighting and detection technology in and around Big Bend National Park. The area includes desert, river and mountain ecosystems and is known for wildlife and the Santa Elena Canyon.

The lawsuit was filed by Friends of the Ruidosa Church, the Center for Biological Diversity and a Big Bend-area river guide and landowner. It challenges the federal government's decision to waive dozens of laws to fast-track the $1.7 billion project across Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and the wider region.

Bulldozers began work in August before Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced a pause after local opposition. Customs and Border Protection said in a court filing this week that the pause had lapsed on September 30 and work would soon resume.