Full Breakdown
Damaged Border-Wall Section in Arizona’s School Canyon Raises Transparency Concerns
7/22/2026, 1:34:19 AM
Damaged Wall Section in Arizona’s School Canyon
In late spring, documentary photographer Mikal Jakubal visited the San Rafael Valley in southern Arizona and photographed a newly installed stretch of border fencing in School Canyon. The images showed a concrete base cracked and at least four metal panels—each estimated to weigh up to 8,000 pounds—tilted and leaving gaps. Jakubal posted the photo on Instagram on May 1, noting the damage might have resulted from heavy equipment. By early July, additional photographs indicated the damage remained unrepaired, with only a small orange construction cone marking the site.
Background: Legal Authority and Contracting
The wall segment was built under a $309 million contract awarded to Fisher Sand & Gravel, a North Dakota firm, to construct 27 miles of barrier in Arizona’s School Canyon. The contract was enabled by a 1996 statute signed by President Bill Clinton that permits the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive numerous laws to accelerate wall construction. After President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the border in 2020, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem invoked the statute to expedite the project and also waived the National Environmental Policy Act, removing a key environmental review.
Official Agency Response
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson John Mennell told High Country News that the damaged section had been repaired and that no injuries occurred during its original construction. Mennell declined to comment on whether an accident caused the damage and redirected inquiries to Fisher Sand & Gravel, which did not respond to calls or emails.
Construction Issues and Broader Failures
Beyond the School Canyon incident, Fisher Sand & Gravel’s prior work has faced scrutiny. In 2020, the firm built a three-mile segment in Texas that later suffered hurricane-induced erosion and panel warping. These recurring issues underscore concerns about the durability of wall components and the oversight mechanisms governing their installation.
