Protesters Decry Buoy Barriers in Rio Grande as 'Ecological Disaster'

Activists gather to oppose new border security measures installed by the Department of Homeland Security.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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About 50 people gathered in Brownsville, Texas, to peacefully protest the border buoys that the federal government is installing in the Rio Grande. Protesters say the buoys are an "ecological disaster" that will harm the river's natural habitat and disrupt the community that relies on the waterway.

Why it matters

The installation of the buoy barriers in the Rio Grande is a controversial move that has sparked outrage from local environmental and indigenous groups who argue the structures will damage the river's ecosystem and disrupt the lives of those who depend on the waterway. The protest highlights the ongoing tensions between border security measures and environmental protection.

The details

The Department of Homeland Security has begun installing 17 miles of 15-foot-long buoys in the Rio Grande near Brownsville, with plans to eventually cover 265 miles of the river. Officials say the buoys are necessary to create a safer border environment for patrolling agents and deter illegal border crossings. However, protesters argue the buoys will change the natural flow of the river, cause sediment buildup, and harm wildlife.

  • The first of the buoys were installed in the river in early January 2026.
  • On February 26, 2026, about 50 people gathered to protest the buoy barriers.

The players

Bekah Hinojosa

A member of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network who organized the protest against the border buoys.

Juan Mancias

A member of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas who is concerned the buoys will alter the natural geography of the Rio Grande and harm wildlife.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who says the buoys are necessary for border protection and migrant safety.

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What they’re saying

“The river is supposed to be a pristine habitat, it nourishes our community and we demand equal protections for our river.”

— Bekah Hinojosa, Member, South Texas Environmental Justice Network (kfor.com)

“This river is about connecting us. To make us be able to travel back and forth on it, up and down on it. Because it gives us life and there's life all along here.”

— Juan Mancias, Member, Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas (kfor.com)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security plans to continue installing the buoy barriers along 265 miles of the Rio Grande in the coming months.

The takeaway

The installation of the border buoys in the Rio Grande has sparked fierce opposition from local environmental and indigenous groups who argue the structures will have devastating impacts on the river's ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. This conflict highlights the ongoing tensions between border security measures and environmental protection.