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Natalie Newman captures bulldozers plowing ground at Big Bend National Park for the administration's border wall expansion

Photographer Natalie Newman documented heavy machinery clearing land at the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. This activity marks the preliminary work for the administration's multibillion-dollar "smart wall" expansion on the US-Mexico border. While US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially denied the construction was happening, the administration announced plans to erect new patrol roads and vehicle barriers in the region. CBP officials stated that the work is survey and design work rather than full-scale construction of a wall. However, critics and local advocates, such as former park superintendent Bob Krumenaker, describe the project as a potential desecration of the wilderness. Opponents argue that the region sees very few unlawful crossings compared than to other border areas. Despite the opposition from some Democrats and local activists, many prominent Texas Republicans have remained relatively quiet. The administration waived several federal environmental and cultural protection laws to expedite the construction, which is part of a $46.5 billion border wall expansion project signed into law by President Trump.

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