YUMA, Ariz. — Many Arizona leaders have been calling for more funding from the government to deal with the border crisis.
Now, we’re hearing some relief is coming.
Almost $55 million will be given to Arizona communities. More than $9 million of that will come to Yuma County to World Hunger Yuma. It’s a start, but leaders said there’s a long way to go to get everything back on track.
From October to April, Yuma County is the nation’s leading supplier of leafy greens. There are miles and miles of farms, all the way up to the country’s edge.
Vice chairman of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors Jonathan Lines said safety guidelines are strict and farmers lost lots of money during the height of the border crisis.
“When we have any unauthorized entry into any field, we actually have to plow that under, get rid of it, so that nothing is contaminated,” Lines said.
He estimated losses exceeded $1 million. And that’s just one way what’s happening at the southern border has broad impacts.
Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls said the city and county are left to figure out what happens next, a year after Title 42 ended.
“Yuma doesn’t have the resources that Tucson has or that Phoenix has,” Nicholls stated.
The lack of resources stretches city resources like fire crews and EMTs thin.
“When one unit whether it’s from San Luis or the Cocopah Somerton area, or Yuma, moves to go respond at the border. Everyone else’s unit shifts around to make sure there is coverage for our cities,” Nicholls said.
Helping to treat migrants in need of medical care, Yuma Regional Medical Center spent millions that haven’t been paid back, according to Lines.
“We still have unreimbursed expenses that exceed $26 million,” he said.
And while the city and county wait for that money, business does seem to be booming in other parts at our southern border.
The San Luis port of entry is a lifeline to the businesses on the Arizona side and 12News journalist Allison Rodríguez spoke to those who cross back and forth. They said the perception is it’s dangerous living here in a border town but the reality is much different.
“I think it’s safe. This is a safe place,” Aaron, a collector said. “The police are pretty good.”
He often crosses from San Luis, Arizona, to San Luis, Mexico and said his family in other states hear stories of large migrant releases and high crime here.
“Que dicen? Oh me dicen ay how’s the situation over there, how’s the crime in San Luis? And I say well I can tell you my mom goes to McDonald’s every day, she walks the whole town," he said. "I’m serious. Everybody knows her. She’s 86 like I said. That tells you, you know, that she feels pretty safe.”
And it’s questions like that, even the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce executive director has to answer.
“Whenever there’s one of those national news stories, our office gets flooded with phone calls,” Kimberly Kahl, Yuma Chamber of Commerce said. “Is Yuma still safe? Are there migrants roaming the streets? Can I still feel safe walking around downtown Yuma?”
She said the answer is yes. And Nicholls echoes that.
“Our border communities, particularly Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, are very safe communities,” Nicholls proclaimed. “We’re not overrun with crime. We’re not in fear of our lives. There’s very regular life happening here.”
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