McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The City of Laredo is allowing the State of Texas to build a segment of border wall on city-owned land near an international bridge.

In a 6 to 2 vote Monday, the Laredo City Council approved a lease easement of 1,600 feet — about one-third a mile — of city property near the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, stirring controversy within the South Texas border community.

“We all know that a wall makes no sense,” said Catholic Sister Rosemary Welsh, who addressed councilmembers during public comment on Monday night. “Our city leaders need to find the courage to stand up for the truth.”

On Thursday, City Manager Joe Neeb issued a statement defending the decision, saying it “does not mark a shift in city policy or a retreat from protecting our riverfront. Instead, it reflects a strategic choice to remain engaged, preserve oversight, and ensure the city retains a seat at the table in conversations that were proceeding regardless of municipal participation.”

The land is to be used by the state’s Operation Lone Star, which has spent over $12 billion since 2021 on border security including building dozens of miles of border barrier.

“This decision was taken with the clear understanding that the State of Texas was moving forward with or without the City’s involvement. Approving the lease allows Laredo to maintain local control over how construction is coordinated, especially when it comes to emergency access, drainage infrastructure, and surrounding development impacts,” Neeb said.

Laredo is one of the last South Texas border cities to avoid border wall construction in recent years, and this decision does not sit well with border wall opponents.

“This is a shocking move by our city leaders,” Tannya Benavides, a local community organizer, said in a statement circulated by the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC), and the No Border Wall coalition. “The state came in and bullied their way into City Hall with threats and scare tactics, falsely making it seem like we had no options. It was very manipulative, and shows how they see us: just some small town that can be pushed around. It’s a huge sign of disrespect shown to our border community.”

Before the vote, RGISC Executive Director Tricia Cortez urged councilmembers to reject selling or giving away any city lands to the state for the potential construction of border fence or border wall.

“Tonight, for you it’s only about two slivers of land. But tomorrow it will be the whole riverfront because once they’re in, there’s no negotiation, no compromise that will assure the best interests of our community. And in this instance, dealing with the future expansion and growth that will be needed in and around the Colombia Brige the water will carve a massive path of destruction through Laredo homes, ranches, public spaces, churches and parks and divide us from the source of all life here, nuestro rio,” Cortez said to a resounding applause from those gathered at the meeting.

The council considered the item in closed executive session that included the state requesting the property “for the purposes of constructing, maintaining, operating, inspecting, and repairing border barrier infrastructure,” according to the agenda. Afterward, a majority voted in favor of it.

City Councilwoman Melissa Cigarroa, a longtime opponent of border wall structures, and founding member of the No Border Wall Coalition, voted against the measure. Her niece, Councilwoman Alyssa Cigarroa also voted against it.

Neeb said in a statement: “In recent days, many voices in our community have raised passionate and valid concerns about the State of Texas’ plans to construct a border barrier along certain areas of riverfront land within or near the City of Laredo. The City acknowledges this long-standing community resistance to physical border walls, and the pride that many Laredoans take in protecting the river as a cultural, environmental, and symbolic lifeline of our city.”

He said that in allowing this easement they believe it will allow the city “to advocate for alternative, non-wall security strategies in more sensitive and high-value areas of the river corridor,” which include downtown Laredo, a local golf course and a local trail system.

“This is a real estate transaction that makes no sense for our city’s growth and prosperity,” Laredo Planning and Zoning Commissioner Regina Portillo said.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.