In South Texas, a border wall dispute centers on individual property claims, with two landowners suing the federal government and arguing that construction crossed onto private land.
The fight has become about land rights, access to the river, and what comes next for a historic community.
Here's what to know
The two property owners, Joel Ruiz and Frank Briscoe, filed federal lawsuits alleging that border wall and buoy construction crews bulldozed private land without permission. Ruiz claimed that the construction shut down his RV park's bank-fishing, while Briscoe claimed the clearing was very close to the San Ygnacio Bird Sanctuary.
Neither plaintiff wants compensation; they just want the construction off their land.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection disputes the claims and alleges that all work has occurred only on federally managed land.
The dispute now centers on the "307 line," a boundary that distinguishes federal land managed by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission from private property.
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In San Ygnacio, Texas, the argument has extra weight because of the town's past. Local outlet Chron reported that when Falcon Dam and Reservoir were created, and nearby communities were displaced, residents successfully petitioned to keep San Ygnacio from being condemned.
What's being done?
The underlying legal issue at play is who or what owns the land near Falcon Reservoir, a federally managed water body.
Residents and activists say the issue extends beyond individual lots, affecting places used for recreation, such as fishing areas, boat access points, and the San Ygnacio Bird Sanctuary. For them, the case also asks whether a historic riverfront community can hold onto authority over its own land.
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