A coalition of border sheriffs gather in Marfa Monday to express their strong opposition to the proposed construction of a border wall in the Big Bend Area. The coalition includes Thaddeus Cleveland of Terrell County, Arvin West of Hudspeth County, Ronnie Dodson of Brewster County, Oscar Carrillo of Culberson County and Danny Dominguez of Presidio County.
The sheriffs noted that Big Bend’s natural features significantly limit the feasibility of large-scale movement across the border, “thereby diminishing the perceived need for a physical wall in this specific area.”
In a detailed letter to federal and state officials, the sheriffs expressed their collective concerns and outlined their extensive experience working in border security and law enforcement. They indicated that, with their intimate knowledge of the region and its challenges, they could have proposed alternative strategies for enhancing border security.
Texas border sheriffs of the Big Bend joint statement
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.
Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez
Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson
Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West
Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland
Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carrillo