Presidio
In the absence of reliable information about the border wall provided by the federal government, Big Bend residents have been trying to piece together the details for themselves. It has led to a tense atmosphere as unfamiliar cars are greeted with suspicion, and accusations have spiraled on social media.
It took just three hours for Theo Escontrias to receive threats. Last week, phones lit up with the message that trucks were seen in Marfa carrying a large amount of steel, headed south. Locals, including this reporter, scrambled outside to watch for the arrival of the bollards meant to block the border. With just one highway, it would be easy to see.
The trucks never arrived in Presidio. They were found being unloaded at the Escontrias Customs Brokerage just outside the city. The steel didn’t look quite right—too long, too skinny, too aged. Charlie Angell, a local business owner and vehement voice against the wall, immediately posted a video to Instagram, claiming that the steel was intended for the wall and decrying the cooperation of the owners with the federal government.
Anna Claire Beasley saw his post almost immediately. As a founding member of the No Big Bend Wall Group, she had heard about the steel. When she saw the business in the video, she did some digging. According to their website, Escontrias Customs Brokerage is a family owned business that operates in Presidio, Chihuahua and Ojinaga.
“I had a feeling that it was not border-wall related,” she told Big Bend Sentinel. She called the business to confirm their involvement and reached Theo Escontrias, who was upset at the accusations and asked her help in getting the post deleted. He told Beasley that he was already being harassed.
Escontrias also reached out to John Ferguson, the Presidio mayor, asking him to help quell the rumors. Escontrias told both that he is staunchly against the wall and has not received a subcontract to work with the government. The steel was intended for Mexico as scrap.
Ferguson took to Facebook, relaying Escontria’s message and reminding people to verify facts first. Beasley sent out a text to No Big Bend Wall channels and local media. Angell took the video down and posted an apology a few hours after the original post. He took full responsibility for the error. Escontrias confirmed to the Sentinel that his business was now doing fine but declined to comment further.
Beasley said that it is common practice for the No Big Bend Wall group to confirm with sources and verify information before going public. “We want to keep our eyes open, but not everything happening out here is related to the wall,” she said. “The federal government is doing a great job of confusing everyone. We need to be an accurate, grounded source of information.”
For protestors being vigilant against the next steps toward a wall, the episode is a reminder of the need for clear information from local and federal officials. As the June start date of construction approaches with no further clarity from Customs and Border Patrol or the Army Corps of Engineers, residents remain on edge.
Disclaimer: Kate Bubacz has previously volunteered to help the No Big Bend Wall group on their national media outreach strategy.