YUMA, Arizona- The construction of a concrete wall along sections of the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking is expected to begin next month, the U.S. Border Patrol said.
The wall will eventually cover 123 miles (198 kilometers) from San Luis to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument south of Ajo and it will be between five to seven feet (1 1/2 to two meters) tall.
Joe Brigman, a spokesman for the Yuma sector of U.S. Border Patrol, said Wednesday that the wall was intended to curb drug smuggling and crossings by illegal aliens.
The facilities manager of the Yuma sector of the U.S. Border Patrol Frank Geary said crews would begin building a 37-mile (60-kilometer) portion stretching from San Luis to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in August and then build a second section further east in November.