Abbott claims DHS isn’t building a wall or fence in Big Bend National Park

(The Center Square) – After months of not commenting on federal border wall and barrier construction in the Big Bend region of Texas, including barrier construction underway in Big Bend National Park, Gov. Greg Abbott broke his silence on Monday.

Responding to a reporter question at a campaign event, he said he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over the weekend. Mullin “committed to me that [DHS] will not be building a wall or a fence in Big Bend National Park. They understand that there are other tools to successfully secure that part of the border through technology, personnel and other means,” he said.

He also said Mullin understood that there are other areas along Texas’ border “where there are more illegal crossings where a wall is needed other than in Big Bend.”

Abbott said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott’s announcement on Monday that CBP...