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The Taking

Federal Land Seizures and the Border Fence

When the Department of Homeland Security built a border fence a decade ago, it used the federal power of eminent domain to seize hundreds of acres of private property. The land grab resulted in unfair payments and unequal treatment of landowners. As the administration of President Donald Trump prepares to build a new wall, the federal laws which allowed the abuse to occur remain in place without reform.

12 stories published since 2017

If Trump’s Border Wall Becomes Reality, Here’s How He Could Easily Get Private Land for It

Texas Lawsuit Alleging Fraud in Construction of First Border Wall Comes Apart

New Details Alleged in Scheme to Make Millions Off First Border Wall in Texas

How a Local Bureaucrat Made Millions Amid the Rush to Build a Border Fence

United States of America v. 15.919 Acres of Land (More or Less)

A Border Wall’s Uncompensated Victims

The Taking

Border Agency Set to Jumpstart Trump’s Wall in a Texas Wildlife Refuge

Trump’s Wall: How Much Money Does the Government Have For It Now?

Trump’s ‘Buy American’ Pledge May Be At Risk With His Border Wall

The First Brick in the Wall

Trump Invites Bids to Build Wall, Cites Importance of ‘Aesthetics’

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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