The standoff began July 27 when demonstrators occupied a 150 year old cottonwood to disrupt President Trump's $46.5 billion border wall expansion. Border Patrol agents previously felled that tree and arrested about 10 people during a raid of the camp. Some observers described the protest site as an autonomous zone, and Frontlines TPUSA reported that its staff were assaulted and had vehicle tires slashed during the conflict.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Judge Halts $46.5B Border Wall Tree Clearing After New Occupation
US Politics9 days ago
All tree removal operations in Lochiel, Arizona, must stop until tomorrow, Judge Reyes ordered while she evaluates an emergency motion. The court order pauses work at a U.S.-Mexico border site where Customs and Border Protection agents recently cleared a protest encampment. Activists have since occupied a second tree to block federal contractors from continuing construction of the double border wall.
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