YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Arizona House of Representatives held a special joint session at the Arizona State Capitol to receive updates on the border crisis.
Yuma County Sheriff Wilmot was also one of the speakers and detailed how he is addressing the border crisis in our region.
Sheriff Wilmot and Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels briefed state legislators.
We share the struggles our departments are facing and thank our legislators for their continued support and resources.
It highlights the continuing obstacles he faces in securing our borders.
When asked if the border wall should be completed, Sheriff Wilmot said: “Yes, completing the fence will help. The infrastructure is tight, so it was already there, but it's just not completed yet. So I think in Yuma there's only 7 miles left until it's completed.” Masu. ”
Mr Willmott also said there was a need to hit cartels and their finances.
He had already hired an agent to do it.
“There are ways to look at different scenarios, but in Yuma County alone it has already been identified, with over $13 million funneled from Yuma to Mexico,” Willmott said.
He also mentioned shipping containers being installed to fill gaps along the border.
“We, as a community, asked for containers to be placed there to deter individuals from entering the fields. No matter what anyone says, and they can turn it however they want, we stop the flow.” They helped our farmers by having people there for them,” Wilmot said.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said border crime takes a huge economic toll.
Sheriff Mark Dannels said, “The cost of my prison is $9.4 million just for 24 months of border-related incarceration.”
Dannels thanked the state for making it possible to bus immigrants out of the county.
“Since the posting of Title 42 in May 2023, through the end of December, 650 buses have come to Cochise County to process immigrants from Cochise County,” Dannels said.
Yuma County officials are assisting in processing some migrants, demonstrating solidarity among law enforcement agencies in this ongoing border crisis.
The special joint session was requested by U.S. Rep. Tim Dunn of Yuma.
