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The Trump administration awarded border wall contracts to build on land it doesn't own in Texas

The government’s strategy of awarding contracts before acquiring titles to land in Texas has led to millions of dollars in costs for delays. Things could get even more complicated if President-elect Joe Biden stops border wall construction.

By Perla Trevizo and Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica
Construction of the border wall close to Mendoza’s ranch La Grulla  on Dec. 17, 2020.
Ociel Mendoza at his ranch in La Grulla. The U.S. government has requested to take possession of Mendoza’s land under the Declaration of Taking Act. In order to build the border wall, the ranch’s gate and the fence will have to be moved,
A border patrol vehicle on the banks of the Rio Grande in Rio Grande City.

Starr County

Fight over land

Mendoza has placed approximately 300 ladders on his 400 acre ranch so that people that are crossing the border don’t damage his fence.
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Construction of the border wall close to Mendoza’s ranch near La Grulla on Dec. 17, 2020.

“They use the legal system as a threat”

Ruben Solís in front of his house in La Grulla on Dec. 17, 2020.
Daniel Villarreal on his property on the Rio Grande in Rio Grande City.. Villarreal says that he sold a portion of his land for the construction of the border wall because he felt pressured to do so and now that Biden won the election he is regretting it.

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