With 42 hours left before the permit expires, Yuma County local government, law enforcement and education leaders said they were monitoring the situation for potential impacts on local residents.
Yuma County Superintendent Tony Reyes, whose jurisdiction includes Southern Yuma County, which includes San Luis and Gadsden, told KAWC that he spoke with San Luis Port Authority Commissioner John Schwam to discuss asylum seekers in the pandemic era. He said he had been told that the borders would not be closed even if a policy of repatriation was implemented. Mexico ends Thursday at 8:59 PM.
Mayor Nieves Riedel said San Luis has about 25,000 border crossers every day, and increased immigration traffic could prevent people from crossing the border to work or school. .
Reyes said the majority of South County residents aren’t worried about the increase in immigrant traffic as long as it doesn’t interfere with their commute.
“At this point, I don’t think the people who live and walk in San Luis and Gadsden feel the pressure we all feel knowing how the immigration and refugee situation is going,” he said. he said.
County Oversight Board Chairman Martin Porchus sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for federal support for Yuma County.
Superintendent Porchas called it a “humanitarian crisis,” and said, “As Title 42 comes to an end, Yuma County, its local governments and nonprofits are facing a dramatic shift in transportation, care, and cross-border influx into Yuma County. Provide food and shelter for the growing number of illegal immigrants.”
“I humbly ask you to declare a federal emergency so that the federal government can deploy the resources, personnel and infrastructure urgently needed to protect our residents and our migrants crossing our borders,” Mr. Polchas continued. rice field.
San Luis Mayor Riedel also said the city should consider issuing a federal emergency to end Title 42.
In an official statement, Riedel said the rising number of migrants could overwhelm Somerton’s Border Health Regional Center, which provides health screenings and travel assistance for migrants.
She said she fears released migrants and migrants entering San Luis won’t have the transportation they need to travel to big cities like Yuma and Phoenix. RCBH operates immigrant buses from Somerton to Phoenix.
Riedel said more calls for immigration help would strain San Luis police and firefighters.
“In an emergency, we cannot leave people without services,” she said.
Summerton city leaders said Wednesday they support the federal emergency declaration’s request for Title 42.
In a statement released, city leaders echoed what Mayor Jerry Anaya told KAWC on Tuesday. They said, “As a city and as a cohesive community, we are proud of the work we have done to mitigate the effects of the immigration surge. But continuing alone without federal assistance is a long-term threat.” It’s not sustainable in any sense, it’s essential for the federal government.” Officials please actively support our frontline border cities, entire border counties, and all border communities like ours across the country. “
“We believe that the option of declaring a federal emergency should be explored so that the redundancies are neutralized and the federal government can deploy appropriate resources, personnel and infrastructure. Become.”
Officials at Arizona Western College said they are monitoring to prepare for the impact the end of Title 42 may have on AWC students and faculty.
San Luis Learning Center and AWC police leaders are in contact with law enforcement in Yuma County, officials said.
Increased numbers of immigrants could impact students, faculty and staff crossing the border at local ports of entry for work or classes.
If port authorities close the border, AWC officials said they would notify the university community.
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For more on the end of Title 42 and its impact here in Yuma County, stay tuned to KAWC.
