Yuma, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – Ever wondered what the Yuma border looks like from a local sheriff’s perspective?
Samantha Bird accompanied Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot on a behind-the-scenes tour of the boundaries of the Yuma District.
We left for the US-Mexico border at 9am
“So the first place we go is just run on Embankment Road. This is the river corridor and where a lot of giving up happens,” said Sheriff Wilmot.
Wilmot said his agent is working closely with the U.S. Border Patrol to protect the Yuma community.
“If you look at last federal fiscal year, 310,000 people entered Yuma County, plus over 9,000 vacations in our county alone. Where are they going and what are their intentions?” Wilmot said.
So far this federal fiscal year, more than 124,000 immigrants have flowed into Yuma County.
Lawmakers participating in Operation Stone Garden have partnered with Border Patrol to expand the law enforcement presence on the Yuma border.
“Now that we have the funds to pay for overtime and purchase equipment to fill gaps in border security, we are actually using the law to deter the criminal elements that often accompany what we are dealing with today. We can ensure a higher profile presence for enforcement agencies “this crisis,” Wilmot said.
Now, we head south, down the riverside corridor, towards San Luis.
Stop at the intersection of the Federal Border Wall and the Kokopa Reservation, usually a popular transit point for immigrants.
“The Cocopas are a river people and access to the river is part of their sovereignty as a tribal state, so it’s understandable why they wouldn’t want a fence,” Wilmot said.
Immigrants discover a large amount of personal belongings left behind before turning in to border patrol.
Then I met a group of about 25 African immigrants.
“This is not an individual trying to enter the United States from Mexico. We have people from 140, if not 160 countries,” Wilmot said.
At one point this year, the border in the Yuma area was flooded with more than 1,000 migrants per day, but now things are different.
“Usually 300 to 400 per day, up to 600. That’s the new norm now. It’s nothing to be proud of for me,” Wilmot said.
Sheriff Wilmot said all this was made possible by the cartel.
“Everything is orchestrated by the cartels. They decide every mile of the border. Yuma County has about 112 miles of border with Mexico,” Wilmot said.
And immigrants have to pay the price.
“Between $6,000 and $15,000 varies from country to country. So special interest countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan will pay more,” Wilmot said. said.
Wilmot said they not only pay the cartels but also buy tickets from their home countries.
“They would fly to Mexico City or Mexicali, then take an Uber or taxi or shuttle all the way to Algodones and meet them there,” Wilmot said.
The sheriff said the cartel didn’t care if migrants died en route.
“Cartels don’t care about human life. There’s no value in it. Most people involved in cartels don’t expect to live past 20 or 30,” Wilmot said. said.
Next, venture into the desert, 30 miles from civilization.
“So, seven people have already died in the desert from the storm and had to go out and recuperate,” Wilmot said.
Sheriffs said the desert is a place where people who don’t want to get caught and drug smugglers go.
“And there are still a couple left by the group that we didn’t find, but the problem is, when the group finally caught us, they had already separated from the person and they “We have reached our destination,” Wilmot said.
No matter how immigrants travel, they all come to the United States for a common purpose.
“They all want a better way of life, but the bottom line is that we have to do it the right way, the legal way. All those who do are being ignored because now they have to deal with everyone who came in illegally,” Wilmot said.
Sheriff Wilmot said he hopes the US will come up with a better long-term solution to the immigration crisis.
But for now, he and his agents will continue to protect the Yuma community with U.S. Border Patrol.
