Construction of the border wall in New Mexico has been temporarily halted from drilling new water wells following concerns raised by local ranchers over the impact on groundwater supplies amid an ongoing severe drought. The move comes as crews advance work along the US-Mexico border, a key priority of former President Donald Trump’s administration, which has allocated over $46 billion in federal funds to barrier construction across four states.

Ranchers in the region voiced alarm at a public meeting in July, emphasizing that unregulated pumping of groundwater to supply concrete production and other construction activities posed risks to their livestock and livelihoods. Russell Johnson, a cattle rancher whose land borders the construction zone, described the situation as potentially catastrophic, warning that excessive water extraction could force some ranchers, including himself, out of business.

Johnson highlighted concerns after discovering an industrial well on leased grazing land, reported by construction crews to draw approximately 300 gallons of water per minute. He stressed that any depletion of the aquifer would have widespread consequences for the surrounding basin. Other ranchers present at the meeting echoed his concerns and questioned the understanding of aquifer dynamics by border patrol officials involved in the project.

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson confirmed on Monday that contractors working on the border wall in New Mexico had been directed to cease drilling new wells. CBP had previously stated that water was essential for various construction purposes, including producing concrete, building access roads, erecting barriers, and dust control at work sites.

Meanwhile, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, responsible for overseeing and permitting water wells across the state, reported last month that at least six wells linked to border wall construction were in development without the required permits. Field inspections in July found two wells actively pumping water at rates of around 200 gallons per minute. The office reiterated the legal requirement that all non-tribal wells, regardless of whether they are on state or federal lands, must obtain state permits before drilling or water extraction can occur.

Environmental groups and local residents have also raised a variety of concerns about the border wall’s construction, including ecological disruptions and community impacts, contributing to ongoing controversies in Texas, California, and New Mexico. The recent order to halt well drilling reflects growing scrutiny of the project’s environmental footprint amid the region’s water scarcity challenges.