POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Yuma mayor talks about preparing for migrants massing at border

May 4, 2023, 7:00 PM | Updated: May 15, 2023, 9:12 am

FILE: Immigrants, some carrying small children, walk to cross through a gap in the U.S.-Mexico bord...

FILE: Immigrants, some carrying small children, walk to cross through a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border barrier before being processed by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 20, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY — The mayor of Yuma, Arizona, along the southern border, is bracing for a surge of migrants moving north, set in motion by the end of a pandemic-era law.

Yuma Mayor joins us live at 9:35 a.m.

 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Title 42 has allowed the U.S. to expel migrants more than 2.7 million times from the southern border, according to official government figures.

Title 42 expires May 11. President Joe Biden plans to send 1,500 troops to the US-Mexico border. These troops will help Border Patrol agents manage the expected surge of migrants waiting in Mexico. Additionally, they will help with the rapid dissemination of information by smugglers about U.S. policy changes, according to CBS News.

Massing on the border

Doug Nicholls, the Republican mayor of Yuma, Arizona,  joins Dave Noriega and guest co-host Maura Carabello to discuss what he anticipates coming to his town when Title 42 sunsets.

“Can you paint a picture for us of what normal migration in Yuma looks like?” Dave asked.

“Normal migration would be probably 10 to 20 apprehensions a day [with] everything being completely processed within the DHS [Department of Homeland Security] system, which means Border Patrol released to ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], which then goes through the Department of Justice. That’s a normal process. We haven’t seen the normal process for over two years,” Nichols said.

He added today that 600 people a day are being processed in Yuma. About 150 to 200 people are released to a nonprofit organization, which helps arrange transportation for migrants to reach their destination.

“How long are they staying in the community? Are they moving into the United States quickly or do they stay in the area?” Carabello asked.

“It’s fairly quick. Usually, within hours, they’re on the road to a regional airport,” Nicholls said. “On the rare occasion, they might have to spend the night, which is usually a hotel room provided by the nonprofit.”

According to Nicholls, Yuma has nothing that would be described as a shelter.

Yuma mayor can see what’s coming

“How large — what kind of influx are you expecting?” Dave asked.

“The numbers we’re hearing are there’s over 600,000 people waiting just south of the border for Title 42 to sunset. And, then they’ll start moving north and that’s all across the southern border.”

“And then the Darién Gap, which is in Panama. The estimates there — where a lot of the migrants move through — the activity there is up 550%. So those numbers could push us up even into the 4,000 to 6,000 people a day range,” Nicholls said.

“Do you have any sense of how many countries people are coming from?” Cabello asked.

“It fluctuates depending upon the timeframe, but it’s over 100, like 112 through the Yuma sector, the last time I checked,” Nicholls said. “It’s India, Russia, Ukraine, China — it’s from all over the world. It’s not just those that are immediately adjacent to the United States.”

Trump vs. Biden at the border

“You were first elected in 2014. Just from your perspective, how does it feel different? What has happened? And how is your relationship with the federal government changed?” Carabello asked.

“In 2019, President Trump was in office. We had this large influx; I declared an emergency, then he had me at the White House. We were talking solutions, and within three months, the situation had calmed down.

“When President Biden got in office, he rescinded almost every immigration policy that President Trump had put in place except for Title 42 because it was a healthcare-based emergency.

“So we’re kind of more left to fend for ourselves. It’s very clear when you talk to the administration. . . . As soon as they’re done doing the exact letter of the law, they believe that mass of people is now the local government’s responsibility,” Nicholls said.

 

Listen to Dave & Dujanovic on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon on KSL NewsRadio. Find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Politics + Government

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

Migrants seeking asylum in the US look through the border wall as volunteers offer assistance on th...

Nouran Salahieh

End of Title 42 policy brings fewer migrants than expected

Southern border communities report fewer migrants, but concerns remain about overcrowded processing and detention facilities.

11 months ago

President Joe Biden looks on during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Whit...

Maegan Vazquez

Biden facing political pressures from both parties over handling of migration challenge

  (CNN) — President Joe Biden is coming under sustained pressure from both sides of the aisle over the administration’s handling of the expiration of Title 42, the controversial Trump-era pandemic public health restriction that became a key tool to turn back migrants at the US-Mexico border. Title 42 was a public health order established early on in the pandemic with […]

11 months ago

graduates are pictured, the us is offering some student loan debt forgiveness...

Associated Press

The US has approved $42 billion in loan forgiveness for public service workers. Here’s what to know

The program is separate from U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether that plan can go ahead.

11 months ago

Migrants stand near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river...

Dakin Andone and Priscilla Alvarez, CNN

Title 42 has expired. Here’s what happens next

The new asylum rule is already facing a legal challenge as the ACLU and other immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.

11 months ago

Private equity investor Andrew Intrater is one of the people federal prosecutors allege Rep. George...

Fredreka Schouten

Private equity investor identified as political contributor allegedly duped by George Santos

(CNN) — Private equity investor Andrew Intrater is one of the people federal prosecutors allege Rep. George Santos induced to donate money as part of an alleged scheme that diverted purported political contributions to Santos’ personal use, Intrater’s lawyer confirmed to CNN on Thursday. In a 13-count indictment made public Wednesday, prosecutors alleged that Santos and an […]

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Yuma mayor talks about preparing for migrants massing at border