Texas Town of 3,200 Faces Off Against DHS Over 30-Foot Wall on Its Levees

Residents of Presidio, Texas, a small town with just over 3,200 inhabitants, are protesting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) plan to construct a 30-foot border wall. The proposed structure would be built on the town's existing levee system along the U.S.-Mexico border, raising significant concerns among locals.

The primary fear is that the wall's construction could jeopardize the integrity of the levees, which are crucial for protecting Presidio from potential flooding along the Rio Grande. The Presidio Development District has filed a lawsuit against the DHS, asserting that the federal government accelerated its plans without adhering to established guidelines. A key argument in the lawsuit is that federal law requires obtaining permission from the Army Corps of Engineers before undertaking construction on or near levees, a step the plaintiffs claim was not taken.

According to documents cited, the levees were built in the 1970s and 1980s to manage flood risks. However, plans reportedly involve replacing the earthen slope of the levee with a concrete wall. The attorney representing the Presidio Development District, Laura Bakst, told ABC News that past construction projects by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have a history of increasing flood risks. She also noted that authorities denied them project details, citing national security reasons.

The DHS has stated that no definitive plan for the wall's location or design currently exists. However, the agency maintains its authority to waive regulations to curb illegal border crossings. While construction materials have been moved to the area, work has not yet begun, with potential commencement set for late August. The DHS faces similar opposition to its border wall projects in various other locations across the border.

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there is a long history of CBP constructions that caused or increased flood risks.