On Thursday, Governor Doug Ducey joined state and local officials in Yuma to survey some of the 3,820-feet of border barrier constructed out of shipping containers last month. The Yuma Sector has been one of the hardest hit areas for migrant traffic and drug trafficking.
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot thanked the governor and agreed that the shipping containers have helped him keep Yuma safe.
“The border barrier helps put a stop to the revolving door for the cartels that has been the southern border,” the sheriff said. “Yuma area law enforcement has been greatly impacted and has dealt with an increase in trespassing calls, criminal damage cases, 911 calls for rescues in the desert, and 50 death investigations this year. Governor Ducey is a true partner to law enforcement and has prioritized our well-being and ability to do our jobs.”
The governor’s stop-gap measure was launched when he issued an Executive Order directing the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs to immediately fill the gaps in the Yuma border wall. The project was funded through the state’s monumental border security legislation, forged in partnership with legislative leaders this year.
“Our Emergency Management team was charged with the coordination of efforts in filling gaps in the border wall,” said Maj. Gen. Kerry L. Muehlenbeck, the Adjutant General of Arizona and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, “We are proud to collaborate with our multiple state and federal partners to facilitate the efficient use of state resources and provide support to our communities.”
“The Yuma community has been put at risk and overburdened for far too long,” said Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls. “While the decision-makers in Washington let border communities fend for themselves, Governor Ducey has been by our side offering solutions since day one. ”
Migrants crossing the border wade through farmland, disrupting Yuma’s vital agriculture industry. Lettuce farmer Cory Mellon knows firsthand the toll the broken border has taken on farms and the community.
“Yuma is a small town, we’re not built to sustain the amount of people traversing our community,” Mellon said. “On our farm, we’ve seen the increase in migrants crossing. It’s not safe for our workers or for the migrants. I’m grateful for Governor Ducey’s leadership in taking action to secure the border.”
The Yuma sector saw a 1,200 percent increase in encounters in Fiscal Year 2021 compared to the year before. Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines said this is a problem Governor Ducey had a solution for.
“The Yuma Border Barrier is working,” he said. “We’ve seen less and less people attempting to cross. The containers have helped regain operational control of our nation’s southern border. Governor Ducey’s strategy has allowed law enforcement to concentrate resources and protect our communities.”