The law enforcement officials who actually patrol the Big Bend border are speaking out: a wall is not the answer.
Five elected sheriffs from Texas’s Big Bend border counties have issued a joint statement opposing the construction of a continuous physical border wall in the region. The statement is signed by:
- Arvin West — Sheriff, Hudspeth County
- Oscar Carrillo — Sheriff, Culberson County
- Danny Dominguez — Sheriff, Presidio County
- Ronny Dodson — Sheriff, Brewster County
- Thaddeus Cleveland — Sheriff, Terrell County
“Based on decades of combined experience working this terrain, we believe that construction of a continuous physical border wall in the Big Bend region would not represent the most practical or strategic approach to border security in this area.”
The sheriffs point to the geography itself — steep mountain ranges, deep canyons, expansive desert, and the Rio Grande — as formidable natural barriers that already limit large-scale movement. They note that modern surveillance technology, including aerial systems currently deployed by CBP, has “proven highly effective in detecting and interdicting activity in remote terrain” without the need for permanent infrastructure.
“Major permanent infrastructure, accompanied by lighting systems, access roads, and maintenance corridors would permanently alter one of the most remote and ecologically significant border landscapes in the United States.”
The statement also makes a broader point about border policy:
“Border security is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Strategies that may be appropriate in high-traffic urban sectors are not necessarily appropriate in geographically remote regions such as ours. Sound policy must be informed by local terrain, operational realities, and fiscal responsibility.”
The sheriffs call on federal and state policymakers to consult directly with local law enforcement and regional stakeholders before advancing permanent infrastructure projects in the Big Bend area.
Read the full text of the joint statement
TEXAS BORDER SHERIFF’S OF THE BIG BEND
JOINT STATEMENT RE: BIG BEND BORDER BARRIER
As elected law enforcement officials serving the Big Bend region of Texas, we share a commitment to strong, effective border security. Protecting our communities, supporting our federal partners, and upholding the rule of law are core responsibilities of our offices.
Based on decades of combined experience working this terrain, we believe that construction of a continuous physical border wall in the Big Bend region would not represent the most practical or strategic approach to border security in this area.
The Big Bend region, consisting of Hudspeth, Culberson, Presidio, Brewster and Terrell counties, is geographically distinct from heavily trafficked urban corridors along the southern border. Steep mountain ranges, deep canyons, expansive desert landscapes, and the Rio Grande itself create formidable natural barriers that significantly limit large-scale movement. These realities must be considered when evaluating appropriate enforcement strategies.
Modern surveillance technology, including advanced aerial systems currently deployed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has proven highly effective in detecting and interdicting activity in remote terrain. Targeted patrol deployment supported by aerial and sensor-based monitoring allows law enforcement to respond precisely and efficiently without the need for extensive permanent infrastructure.
We are also mindful of the unique character of the Big Bend region. This area includes nationally and internationally significant public lands, ranchlands, tourism-based economies, and critical wildlife habitat. Major permanent infrastructure, accompanied by lighting systems, access roads, and maintenance corridors would permanently alter one of the most remote and ecologically significant border landscapes in the United States.
Border security is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Strategies that may be appropriate in high-traffic urban sectors are not necessarily appropriate in geographically remote regions such as ours. Sound policy must be informed by local terrain, operational realities, and fiscal responsibility.
We respectfully encourage federal and state policymakers to consult directly with local law enforcement leadership and regional stakeholders before advancing permanent infrastructure projects in the Big Bend area. We believe collaborative, technology-driven, and terrain-informed strategies will better serve both national security objectives and the long-term interests of our communities.
Arvin West, Sheriff, Hudspeth County
Oscar Carrillo, Sheriff, Culberson County
Danny Dominguez, Sheriff, Presidio County
Ronny Dodson, Sheriff, Brewster County
Thaddeus Cleveland, Sheriff, Terrell County
Make your voice heard too — submit your public comments to CBP before March 19.