Border Wall Visit by Republican Attorneys General
Yuma, Arizona – This week, the Republican attorneys general from 11 states made a visit to the US-Mexico border wall in Yuma, Arizona. They highlighted a reported 90% drop in illegal crossings since President Trump began his second term.
The timing of their visit was interesting, as it came just a day before the House approved Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” which allocates $46.5 billion to continue the construction of the wall. Currently, only a quarter of the nearly 1,900-mile boundary between the US and Mexico is covered. Local officials in Yuma, a city of about 110,000 residents, shared insights with the group, detailing that illegal crossings have reduced to around four per day since Trump’s administration began.
Kansas Attorney General Chris Kobach mentioned to a FOX News Digital chairman that support from additional “force multipliers” is necessary, particularly for what he described as the most significant immigration enforcement since the Eisenhower era. He revealed plans involving three more GOP states entering into 287(g) agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
Bipartisan Senate Bill Addresses Human Trafficking
Kobach emphasized the need for increased enforcement capabilities. He noted that relying solely on additional border patrol agents isn’t sufficient. He believes that enhancing state and local law enforcement through these agreements acts as a significant “force multiplier.”
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson brought attention to the severe issue of drug trafficking, revealing that the state received 540 kilograms of fentanyl and 850 kilograms of cocaine, stemming from Mexican drug cartels. He pointed out the terrifying impact, emphasizing that just one kilogram could potentially kill half a million individuals.
This issue resonates personally with Wilson, a 29-year army veteran. He expressed concern for families affected by overdoses, saying, “It really hits home. With two teenagers in high school, the thought of losing a child to an overdose is heartbreaking.” He further urged the importance of innovative measures at the digital borders to counteract crime, mentioning that alerts are necessary regarding how various illegal organizations exploit platforms like WeChat for their operations.
Emphasis on Border Challenges
Despite not being directly on the border, the group of 11 attorneys general underscored that under the Biden administration, all states have become inadvertently impacted by the consequences of border policy, especially concerning drug trafficking.
Tom Homan commended the “big beautiful bill,” stating that it fortifies success at the border. He contrasted current figures to those from the past, when illegal crossings reached 1,500 per day at certain border points.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall noted the extended repercussions of open borders across various states, citing a notable decline in border encounters. He stressed the significant role that leadership plays in achieving these changes.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita shared similar sentiments, arguing that inefficiency at the federal level has turned every state into a border state. He expressed concern for educational and local systems strained by a broken immigration approach.
During their tour, attendees saw a pallet of border wall supplies valued at $2 million that was previously halted by the Biden administration. Kobach criticized this as a misguided effort that has led to substantial costs and challenges for the local community, including significant losses for farmers in Yuma.
Local officials are worried as the area is crucial for national food security, producing around 2,500 loads of produce daily during peak season. They also indicated that military training operations in the region have faced disruptions due to ongoing border issues.
