Tohono O’odham Nation posts ‘No Trespassing’ signs for border wall crews

The Tohono O’odham Nation warned federal contractors Friday against entering its reservation to begin border wall construction, posting “No Trespassing” signs at multiple locations and placing tribal police on alert to turn back unauthorized workers.

Tribal leaders said they had been informed that contractors may attempt to access tribal lands to conduct work related to a planned border wall.

The restrictions apply only to non-tribal members; all O’odham are free to travel as usual, the tribe said.

The warning marks a new escalation in the nation’s fight against a border wall on its reservation, which spans roughly 62 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Arizona.

In June, the federally recognized sovereign nation, with about 37,000 enrolled members, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seeking to block construction.

A federal district court in Washington reportedly heard arguments in the case late last month. Both sides are awaiting a ruling from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon on whether to halt federal wall operations.

Tribal leaders say decades of cooperation with federal authorities, including vehicle barriers, high-tech sensors and forward operating bases, have reduced illegal border crossings on the reservation by more than 95 percent, making a physical wall unnecessary.

“The wall is a wasteful political gimmick,” Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose said in a statement ahead of the June lawsuit.

The tribe asked anyone who sees suspicious activity on tribal land to contact the Tohono O’odham Police Department and to call 911 if they feel unsafe.

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