<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Trump administration has extended a pause on border wall construction in Big Bend National Park in Texas until September 15. This decision follows a federal court hearing in San Antonio, where attorneys discussed the implications of the halt originally put in place by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott earlier this month.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The pause, which was set to expire on Monday, applies to the national park and a section of land upriver and west of the park, as stated by a Justice Department attorney during the hearing.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This development is part of an ongoing legal dispute regarding the authority of the government to proceed with the border wall project in the national park. A group of Native American activists, local residents, and a tourism and recreation business have filed a lawsuit to block the project, citing concerns about potential environmental impacts and other issues.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We’ve won the battle, not the war … we’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Roland Gutierrez, a Democratic state senator in Texas, who represented the plaintiffs in court.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In contrast, federal attorneys argued that Customs and Border Protection has the necessary authority from the government to carry out the project. Attorney Pamela Amaechi emphasized during the hearing that “Congress gave them the authority. Congress has spoken.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The pause is in effect while U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia considers the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order, with a ruling expected within four to six days, according to attorneys.</p>