In response to an outcry from local ranchers facing water shortages in drought-stricken New Mexico, construction contractors building a segment of the border wall have been ordered to pause drilling for water wells to produce concrete for the project. The water is being used by Customs and Border Protection contractors to produce concrete for the construction of the border wall and associated roadways. The regulatory office informed attendees that at least eight wells have been drilled without state permits along the border in New Mexico. Although DHS has not indicated how the pause in water well drilling will affect border wall projects in the area, previous projects have relied on water purchased from ranchers and municipalities elsewhere. The funding provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which authorized $46.5 billion for border wall construction, could be used to address water needs resulting from the pause.