Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has announced that 3,820 feet of the southern border exposed near Yuma is now closed, thanks to a barrier of double-stacked and secured shipping containers placed there on his orders.

According to a release on the governor’s official website, Ducey initially proposed the border mission in January during his State of the State address, when he said, “Our southern border has never been more deadly or more dangerous.” House Bill 2317, sponsored by Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican representing Arizona, called for $564 million to go toward border security.  Ducey signed this measure into law June 30.

“Following a historic investment in this year’s state budget, forged in partnership with legislative leaders, we’ve taken a major step forward to secure our border,” Ducey said in the release. “Five wide open gaps in the border wall near Yuma neighborhoods and businesses are now closed off. In just 11 days, Arizona did the job the federal government has failed to do — and we showed them just how quickly and efficiently the border can be made more secure – if you want to.”

Ducey went on to say that the action has been necessary since Biden was elected.

“On the day President Biden was sworn into office, he issued a proclamation ordering a pause in the construction of the border wall going up on our southern border,” Ducey said in the release. “Since then, illegal activity in Yuma and other border communities has skyrocketed. Arizona could not just stand by and allow this situation to continue.” 

The governor ordered the border mission on Aug. 12, and the last of the 130 double-stacked shipping containers required was installed Aug. 23.

“Our border barrier mission is a win for Arizona, our communities, our farmers and our law enforcement,” Ducey said. “But the effort to secure our border is far from complete. Washington must act. Border security is a federal responsibility. They need to fix the border they’ve broken.”

Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls expressed gratitude to Ducey for the the order.

“Every day hundreds of people come across the border into the Yuma area,” he said. “By closing the border wall gaps, Governor Ducey is helping to protect our city from the dangerous drugs and bad actors that come through on a daily basis. Yuma is grateful for the effective process of getting these containers in place quickly and secured. Governor Ducey showed the nation how to secure the border and keep illegal activity at the border at bay.”

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines warned of the danger of human trafficking activity with the border unprotected.

“The open border left behind by the Biden Administration has left Yuma County residents exhausted and our resources depleted,” he said. “We’re tired of the lethal drugs and human smuggling entering our county. These containers are making a huge difference and will disrupt the cartels’ trafficking operations. Thank you, Governor Ducey, for prioritizing our county and protecting our families.”

Arizona Department of Homeland Security Director Tim Roemer said the state has taken a step to protect its citizens.

“Crossing between points of entry is illegal,” he said. “The cartels have been taking advantage of the gaps in the border wall to surge migrants and overwhelm law enforcement. In 11 days, Arizona has regained more operational control at the U.S.- Mexico border, than Biden has in 20 months. Governor Ducey has shown great leadership in how to effectively and efficiently secure the border.”