Three top Arizona politicians denounced this week the closure of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Lukeville Port of Entry as further destabilizing the southern border with Mexico amid thousands of new illegal arrivals daily.
On Dec. 1, Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat turned Independent, Mark Kelly (D), and Governor Katie Hobbs (D) issued the joint statement three days before the closure took place.
“Arizona border communities are in crisis, and our men and women on the front lines do not have the resources they need to manage the overwhelming numbers of migrants crossing the border,” they wrote.
“This is an unacceptable outcome that further destabilizes our border, risks the safety of our communities, and damages our economy by disrupting trade and tourism.
“The Federal Government must act swiftly to maintain port of entry operations, get the border under control, keep Arizona communities safe, and ensure the humane treatment of migrants.”
The statement added, “Partisan politicians who parrot talking points while watching the border further deteriorate must reject the echo chamber and work with us to get something done and keep our communities safe.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) closed operations in Lukeville—one of six state ports of entry—on Dec. 4 due to an ongoing surge in illegal immigrant encounters.
The agency announced it was closing Bridge 1 in Eagle Pass, Texas, to pursue illegal entries.
“In response to increased levels of [illegal] migrant encounters at the Southwest Border, fueled by smugglers peddling disinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals, CBP is surging all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants,” it said in a statement.
“CBP will continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation.”
The action closed both northbound and southbound foot and vehicle traffic at the Lukeville Port of Entry, about 150 miles south of Arizona’s capital of Phoenix. The closure will remain in effect until “further notice,” CBP stated.
“Travelers can cross into or out of the United States through either the Nogales Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, or the San Luis Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona.
“As we respond with additional resources and apply consequences for unlawful entry, the migration trends shift as well.
“We continue to adjust our operational plans to maximize enforcement efforts against those noncitizens who do not use lawful pathways or processes such as CBP One and those without a legal basis to remain in the United States.”
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico issued an advisory stating that U.S. citizens considering travel to or from Puerto Penasco should “weigh the security risks and consider making alternative plans.”
The 1,954-mile-long U.S.-Mexico border processes more than three million legal border crossings yearly.
Approximately 2,000 illegal crossings occur daily along CBP’s Tucson Sector, which includes the continuous border spanning 272 miles from Yuma County to the state’s border with New Mexico.
The three Arizona officials said they would continue to monitor the situation in Lukeville and remain in contact with CBP officials.
