Five county sheriffs in West Texas have joined forces to oppose a proposed border wall project in the rugged Big Bend region, arguing that technology and increased manpower would be more effective than new physical barriers.
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The law enforcement leaders — Danny Dominguez, Ronnie Dodson, Oscar Carrillo, Arvin West and Thaddeus Cleveland — signed a joint letter to federal and state officials expressing their concerns about constructing a border wall in the remote area.
The sheriffs say their combined experience enforcing laws across the region gives them a clear understanding of the challenges involved in securing the border.
The officials noted that the landscape in the Big Bend area — located along the Big Bend Region of the United States-Mexico Border — includes rugged mountains, steep canyons and expansive desert terrain that already restrict large-scale movement.
Because of these natural barriers, the sheriffs argue that constructing a physical wall may not provide the most effective solution for border enforcement.
Instead, they emphasize that local law enforcement agencies are already working closely with federal partners to enforce immigration laws and protect residents.
The group says their primary responsibility remains the safety of communities across the region’s 517-mile stretch of border territory.
In their joint statement, the sheriffs suggested that investments in advanced surveillance technology and additional border personnel could produce stronger security outcomes than large infrastructure projects.
They highlighted tools such as drones, surveillance systems and improved monitoring equipment as practical alternatives for covering remote desert terrain.
The law enforcement leaders also stressed the importance of involving local authorities and residents before major border infrastructure decisions are made.
Many people use the phrase, “Border Security is National Security,” and I’ve used that phrase myself. But the reality is that while many of us say it, and while politicians often build campaigns around it, we are still only putting band-aids on the border.
If we truly want to treat border security as national security, building a wall through the Big Bend Region is not the answer. A wall will not stop people from crossing here. In addition to their God given abilities, what truly helps Border Patrol agents do their jobs is technology. Instead of relying on barricades, we should be investing in advanced technology on the ground and in the air.
Today, five Texas Border Sheriffs from the Big Bend Region came together to sign a joint statement on securing the Big Bend. Together, we enforce the law across 517 miles of the U.S./Mexico Border, and we are responsible for protecting our communities and listening to the voices of the citizens we serve. Our priority is the safety of our residents and the security of our region, and we believe real solutions must reflect the realities on the ground and the perspectives of the people who live here.
The sheriffs also said that consulting local law enforcement and community leaders is essential when planning border security initiatives.
They believe that cooperation between federal agencies, state officials and local communities could lead to more practical and sustainable solutions tailored to the region’s unique geography.
The statement reflects growing debate in border regions about how to balance infrastructure projects, technology-based monitoring and community input when addressing immigration and security concerns along the southern U.S. border.
Originally reported by Tamlyn Price in First Alert 7.
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