Border Crossings in Yuma See Significant Decrease

In Yuma, Arizona, illegal border crossings have shown a staggering decline of 99% over the last few years. This change, reported by the CBP, highlights the shifting dynamics at the border from 2021 to 2024.

During this time, Yuma’s Mayor, Doug Nichols, declared a local emergency. More than 250,000 people crossed illegally into the Yuma Sector in those three years—it’s a figure that far exceeds Yuma’s actual population.

Now, many of these areas feel strangely deserted, like the border walls adjacent to the Cocopa reservations.

“The busiest times in the Yuma sector used to be right here. Every day, it was hectic,” Border Patrol Agent Fidel Cabrera recalled. “We had hundreds of people turning around daily. Mornings and evenings were especially crowded.”

Cabrera mentioned that while asylum claims are processed legally, there continues to be a surge of attempts to cross illegally, likely because of perceived benefits of staying in the U.S.

“We were catching them before, but many just didn’t return after being released,” Cabrera noted.

This pattern has been observable across Arizona’s borders. By 2024, illegal crossings near Lukeville had reached thousands every day.

A brief time later, processing documents for migrants released in Nogales were shown to me.

Yuma’s Chief, Justin De La Torre, remarked that new policies from the Trump administration are driving this steep drop in crossings.

“We’re implementing immediate removal processes, or issuing complaints for illegal entries. The statistics show an average of three arrests daily along the 126-mile border,” De La Torre shared.

The end of the Biden administration and the legal challenges against certain Trump-era policies by the ACLU have been quite notable.

Decreased crossings don’t equate to a complete closure of the border. Cross-border commerce plays a crucial role in Yuma County’s economy, with thousands of vehicles passing through the San Luis intersection daily.

Ivan Verdugo, who has worked in the U.S. for five years, said that tighter border policies haven’t caused him any difficulties in his legal work.

“Honestly, it felt pretty calm,” Verdugo commented.

Back at headquarters, Chief De La Torre highlighted how Yuma’s situation reflects a model for border cities, emphasizing safety and vibrancy.

“It all connects back to legal travel, trade, and our commitment to safeguard the community,” De La Torre concluded.