Alamo, TX (KRGV) — New wooden stakes for border wall construction are now inside the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge south of Alamo after the project moved from a nearby irrigation canal following a lawsuit.

“It is cruel. It is inhumane. And we can do better than this,” Gloria Galindo, with the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, said. “We didn't like the wall being on the levee, but it would've minimized damage to the park. Now that it's being built inside the refuge itself, there will be extensive land clearing of native habitat.”

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in August that blocked more border wall construction along a canal near the refuge. Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2 sued two border wall construction companies and claimed the construction was damaging its canal.

READ MORE: Feds may build border wall through Santa Ana wildlife refuge as original plan stalls in court

In response, border wall construction was moved away from the canal and into the national refuge.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains committed to enhancing border security at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, while continuing coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other relevant federal and state partners,” a CBP spokesperson said. “CBP is aware of the pending litigation and remains confident in its legal authorities and assessments. All border wall construction is anticipated for completion in 2028.”

The next hearing on the restraining order is set for December.