Topacio “Topaz” Servellon Wrote About The Impact of Expanding The DeConcini Border Crossing

by | August 10, 2026

For Tucson Spotlight, Topacio “Topaz” Servellon reported on how “a federal proposal to expand the DeConcini border crossing would demolish a historic Nogales neighborhood.” Servellon told Study Hall:”No one really talks about the mental health toll that comes with covering the border and immigration. I fell into a deep depression for two weeks. Then I dragged myself to a public meeting about a border port expansion, a city over. I wrote the story anyway. And when I finished it? I was proud. Really proud, actually! Not because I “pushed through” some heroic way, just because I came back and did the work. Turns out I can still do my job, even after a funk. Reminder for all journalists out there: Taking time away doesn’t make you any less of a journalist.”

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