Rep. Grijalva Responds to Court Ruling Denying Tohono O’odham Nation’s Border Wall Injunction; Pause in Construction at Big Bend

Tucson, AZ — Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva released the following statement after a U.S. District Court judge denied the Tohono O’odham Nation’s petition for a preliminary injunction to halt construction of a border wall through the Nation’s reservation. The ruling comes as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it would halt construction at Big Bend National Park after opposition from local stakeholders. 

“While I am disappointed by this preliminary ruling, CBP has just shown at Big Bend that it is willing and able to voluntarily pause border wall construction. Like Big Bend, the 62-mile segment in Arizona that would cross the Tohono O’odham Nation runs through environmentally sensitive lands, provides habitat for endangered species, and is located in a remote area with few border crossings. Unlike Big Bend, however, this stretch would be built on the lands of a sovereign Tribal Nation, impacting multiple sacred sites of historic, cultural and spiritual significance.” 

“Rather than proceeding down a path of costly litigation, CBP should pause construction on the Nation’s lands and engage meaningfully with tribal leaders and other stakeholders, just as it has begun to do at Big Bend. The Tohono O’odham Nation deserves to have its sovereignty, culture, and sacred sites respected. I will continue standing with the Nation and fighting to ensure that tribal voices are heard when decisions are being made about their own lands.” 

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