Contractors building border wall ordered to stop drilling wells in drought-stricken New Mexico

The Trump administration ordered border wall contractors in drought-stricken New Mexico to stop drilling wells after ranchers raised concerns about water shortages threatening livestock. Contractors Caddell Construction Co. and Fisher Industries were instructed to halt new well drilling, though existing wells' status remains unclear. The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer reported eight unauthorized wells drilled for the project, violating state water regulations.