GOP attorneys general tout border security gains at Yuma wall after Trump return
Republican attorneys general from 11 states made a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Yuma, Arizona, this week to highlight the significant decrease in illegal crossings since President Donald Trump began his second term. The visit took place just a day before the House narrowly passed Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which includes funding of $46.5 billion to continue construction of the wall.
Yuma, a city with a population of 110,000, saw a drastic decline in illegal crossings from an average of 1,500 people a day during the first six months of the Biden administration to just four daily crossings since Trump took office. The Republican attorneys general were briefed by local officials on the impact of the border crisis, emphasizing the need for additional resources to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is also the chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, stressed the importance of “force multipliers” in addressing the border crisis. He highlighted the significance of state and local law enforcement working in collaboration with federal agencies like ICE to enhance border security and immigration enforcement.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson raised concerns about the influx of fentanyl and cocaine trafficked into his state from Mexican drug cartels, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to combatting transnational criminal organizations. Wilson also highlighted the importance of targeting digital platforms like WeChat, which are used by criminal organizations to facilitate illicit activities.
The Republican attorneys general emphasized the need for a bipartisan effort to address the border crisis, noting that every state is affected by the trafficking of drugs and people across the border. They praised the Trump administration’s policies for reducing illegal crossings and restoring law and order at the border.
The visit to Yuma included a tour of the border wall and discussions with local officials about the impact of the border crisis on the community. The attorneys general heard about the strain on local resources, including healthcare costs incurred by treating migrants and losses suffered by farmers due to the surge in illegal crossings.
Overall, the Republican attorneys general underscored the importance of border security in protecting national security and public safety. They expressed their commitment to working together to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and to support efforts to secure the border and uphold the rule of law.
