ProPublica reports wall soil testing on Tohono O'odham land amid alleged gate threat

The short version

• ProPublica reports that a Border Patrol email told the Tohono O'odham Nation's chairman that contractors were en route for wall soil tests.[ProPublica]
• Chairman Verlon Jose says Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott warned that a lawsuit could cost three border gates; CBP declined to comment.[ProPublica]
• A federal judge in Washington, D.C., denied the tribe's preliminary injunction request, and a $1.3 billion wall contract was awarded in June.[ProPublica]
• The key unknown is whether the alleged gate threat will be carried out, and the reporting does not say.[ProPublica]

Key facts

• On Aug. 25, the Tohono O'odham Nation chairman received an email from the head of the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector saying contractors were en route for soil tests for a 62-mile wall.[ProPublica]
• According to Verlon Jose, Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott told a tribal delegation that opposing the wall in court could cost the Nation access to three border gates.[ProPublica]
• CBP declined to comment on the alleged threat to close the border gates.[ProPublica]
• A $1.3 billion contract to build the wall, known as the Tucson 5 project, was awarded in June to Sullivan Land Services Co.[ProPublica]
• A federal judge in Washington, D.C., denied the tribe's request for a preliminary injunction against border wall construction.[ProPublica]
• DHS general counsel James Percival posted a celebratory meme on X on Aug. 14 following the denial of the emergency injunction.[ProPublica]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

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