Trump-Linked Firm Secures $309 Million Border Wall Project in San Rafael Valley

Fisher Sand & Gravel has secured a $309 million contract to construct nearly 27 miles of border wall in the San Rafael Valley, as confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials on Friday.

This funding originates from a congressional appropriation made in 2021 and aims to address critical gaps in existing border fortifications.

The North Dakota-based company has a history of involvement in border wall construction, particularly during the Trump administration. CEO Tommy Fisher was instrumental in securing contracts through his connections, including substantial donations to House Republicans and coordinating private border wall projects.

Notably, Fisher’s efforts contributed to the controversial “We Build the Wall” campaign, which led to several criminal convictions among its organizers.

Earlier this month, CBP sought to construct a barrier near the Sonoita Border Patrol station, a project that was recently accelerated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She waived environmental regulations to facilitate a larger construction effort extending 35 miles along the Arizona-Mexico border.

The plan includes new sections starting at Border Monuments 121 and 99, further marking the U.S.-Mexico boundary. Monument 102, located near Montezuma Canyon, will also be involved in this development.

“There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct additional physical barriers,” Noem stated, citing the need to curb unlawful entries into the U.S.

In addition to the San Rafael Valley project, Noem had previously waived regulations for another project in the Yuma Sector, further expediting border wall construction in the region.

Nevertheless, it’s uncertain if Fisher will receive funding for the entire initiative outlined in Noem’s waiver or only for the project highlighted by CBP in April.

The new wall sections will reportedly create the “longest unbroken stretch of border wall” in the region, spanning 118 miles from Guadalupe Canyon to Walker Canyon.

Environmentalists have voiced significant concerns over the project, arguing it threatens fragile grassland ecosystems and wildlife. The area is crucial for two bi-national rivers, the San Pedro and Santa Cruz, vital to local biodiversity.

Laiken Jordahl, a conservation advocate, criticized the project for risking habitats of endangered species, including jaguars and ocelots. “This is happening while border crossings are at the lowest level in decades,” Jordahl asserted.

Fisher Sand & Gravel previously gained prominence from a private border wall project along the Rio Grande, which ultimately led to larger contracts with the federal government. Critics, including U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, have raised doubts about the company’s qualifications, citing their history of shoddy work and ongoing investigations.

Despite these concerns, Fisher has continued to secure substantial contracts, including one for $1.28 billion—the largest awarded for border barriers.