Wall contractors in San Ygnacio, Texas (PC: Elsa Hull)
In 1951, residents of San Ygnacio successfully persuaded the US government to spare their community from condemnation for a federal dam project. But nearly 75 years later, the town is once again resisting a major government development; this time a proposed border wall that residents fear could damage their properties and harm the river ecosystem. At the centre of the latest struggle is Joel Ruiz, a 90-year-old landowner who has spent decades living beside the Rio Grande. In April 1951, hundreds of residents petitioned the government to exclude their land from condemnation proceedings.
Residents also reported that construction affected trees and an irrigation line, while a steel barrier obstructed access to his boat ramp. Currently, there’s a battle going on in a small Texas town along the US-Mexico border. Now this particular land battle has also brought a forgotten chapter of history back to life. He also runs a small fishing business. As per reports, Ruiz, along with other residents have managed to temporarily put a break on construction after confronting contractors, examining historical property records and pursuing legal action. Their argument was that the town stood high enough above the reservoir’s projected maximum water level to remain safe from flooding. The petition succeeded, and San Ygnacio was spared from the planned acquisition. The victory became an important part of the town’s history. Now, residents are drawing on those same records and challenging another federal project. Why residents are opposing the border wall In San Ygnacio, construction activity has raised questions about whether the government and its contractors have the necessary rights to work on this particular land as it is privately owned. The heavy machinery cleared vegetation and damaged parts of Ruiz’s riverfront property. The fishing business he had operated for years was also disrupted.
