Feds to Install 536 Miles of Floating Barriers on Rio Grande

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The federal government is moving forward with a plan to install 536 miles of cylindrical buoys in the Rio Grande river along the Texas-Mexico border. The first 17-mile stretch of these floating barriers is now being constructed in the southernmost tip of the state, with the Department of Homeland Security waiving environmental laws and issuing over $1 billion in contracts to private companies to complete the project.

Why it matters

This unprecedented infrastructure project on the Rio Grande could have major ecological and humanitarian impacts, altering the iconic river's natural flow and disrupting the communities that depend on it. Critics argue the barriers will do little to stop determined migrants while causing significant damage to the delicate border ecosystem.

The details

Each industrial-style buoy is more than 12 feet long and is being installed in continuous chains to prevent people from crossing the river from Mexico into Texas. The Department of Homeland Security has asserted its authority to bypass environmental regulations in order to expedite the construction.

• The first 17-mile stretch of buoys is currently being installed in the southernmost tip of Texas.
• The full 536-mile project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

What’s next

The legality and environmental impact of the project are expected to face significant legal challenges in the coming months.