We, the undersigned County Judges, representing 100% of the contiguous Texas-Mexico border, write with respect and goodwill, and a sincere desire to serve as partners in securing our shared border.
In our roles as the chief elected officials of our counties, we also serve as the heads of emergency management pursuant to Chapter 418, Section 418.1015 of the Texas Government Code. This responsibility places us at the front line of public safety, infrastructure coordination, and emergency response across both rural and urban communities along the border.
We recognize the progress that has been made in strengthening border security, including the significant reduction in unlawful crossings. These outcomes reflect meaningful coordination among federal, state, and local partners, and we are grateful for the continued commitment to this shared priority.
Our purpose in writing is not to oppose or obstruct, but to help ensure that the people who live, work, ranch, farm, and raise families along this border continue to have a meaningful voice in decisions that shape our daily lives.
Our counties lie directly along the international boundary. We see firsthand the impacts of unlawful crossings, including strain on local resources, risks to public safety, and challenges faced by landowners and law enforcement. We support efforts to strengthen border security and recognize the importance of infrastructure where it is needed most.
At the same time, we carry an obligation to speak honestly on behalf of the men and women we serve. Their experiences are grounded in daily life and vary across this region.
The Texas-Mexico border spans nearly 1,300 miles and includes dense urban crossings, small communities, working ranches, agricultural operations, and vast remote terrain. What works well in one setting may require adjustment in another.
In some instances, infrastructure and operational decisions have had unintended impacts, including limitations on access to water sources, challenges related to property access, and Temporary Flight Restrictions that have resulted in the temporary closure of airspace, affecting aviation activity in both rural areas and the El Paso region. These situations are not the result of ill intent, but rather reflect the complexity of large-scale planning across a diverse landscape.
Our experience has shown that early coordination and local input can help identify practical solutions that support both security and the long-term viability of border communities.
We have seen firsthand the value of collaboration. Following the passage of the Secure Fence Act of 2006, the Texas Border Coalition worked constructively with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reroute a proposed fence around the University of Texas at Brownsville, now known as UTRGV, rather than allowing it to divide the campus.
More recently, collaborative efforts in the Big Bend region, including Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, have demonstrated the effectiveness of adapting from a traditional physical barrier approach to a more strategic use of technology and smart infrastructure. That approach reflects how thoughtful coordination can meet security objectives while preserving natural resources, access, and the unique character of the region.
These outcomes are only possible because of open communication, local input, and a willingness to find practical solutions. That is exactly the type of engagement we are seeking today.
As County Judges, we sit at the intersection of federal policy and the communities it affects. We know our terrain, our landowners, and the long-standing practices that sustain life and livelihood in this region. We offer that knowledge as a resource.
With that in mind, we respectfully request:
We believe that strong border security and the long-term well-being of border communities go hand in hand. Stable communities, informed by local input and treated as partners, are essential to achieving lasting security outcomes.
We write without partisan intent and with a shared commitment to practical, durable solutions. We stand ready to assist and welcome continued dialogue at your convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
Editor’s Note: The above letter was sent jointly by every county judge along the Texas-Mexico border to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
