Republican Attorneys General Tour US-Mexico Border as Support for Trump’s Wall Funding Grows

Republican Attorneys General Evaluate US-Mexico Border Security in Arizona

Republican attorneys general from eleven states visited the US-Mexico border wall in Yuma, Arizona, this week, emphasizing a significant reduction in illegal crossings since Donald Trump began his second term. According to officials, the region has witnessed over a 90% decline in illegal entries, a figure that is central to ongoing debates about border security.

Border Wall Expansion Gains Momentum

This visit occurred just one day before the House of Representatives narrowly approved Trump’s comprehensive immigration bill, commonly referred to as the big beautiful bill. This legislation includes a substantial allocation of $46.5 billion aimed at revitalizing construction of the border wall, which currently covers only a quarter of the approximately 1,900-mile boundary separating the United States from Mexico.

During their visit, local officials briefed the Republican attorneys general from states including Kansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Alabama, Montana, Iowa, and Indiana. Previously, about 1,500 people illegally crossed the border each day during the first six months of the Biden administration. Now, that number has decreased to roughly just four daily illegal crossings since Trump took office.

Collaborative Efforts for Law Enforcement

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who chairs the Republican Attorneys General Association, spoke with Fox News Digital about the necessity for additional “force multipliers” in the ongoing efforts to secure the border. He outlined that the administration must engage in the largest interior removal since the Eisenhower administration. Additionally, he announced that three more GOP states have entered into 287(g) agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These agreements empower local and state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, which includes arresting individuals for immigration-related violations, initiating deportation processes, conducting investigations, and accessing ICE databases.

Key Insights from the Visit

During the briefings, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson revealed concerning statistics about the state’s drug trafficking situation. He stated that 540 kilograms of fentanyl and 850 kilograms of cocaine were trafficked into South Carolina, primarily linked to Mexican drug cartels. The implications of such trafficking are dire, as just one kilogram of fentanyl can potentially kill half a million people.

Wilson expressed deep personal concern over the drug crisis, stating, “This is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night. As a parent, it strikes at your core when you hear about families losing children to overdoses.” He underscored that addressing these issues goes beyond law enforcement; it is fundamentally about national security. He believes Trump’s policies have empowered local law enforcement and state prosecutors to more effectively combat illicit activities regarding drug cartels.

The Need for a Digital Border

Wilson also highlighted the growing importance of establishing a digital border to counter criminal organizations like Mexican drug cartels and Chinese nationals who launder their trafficking proceeds using digital platforms. In a significant bipartisan move, he has partnered with North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and attorneys general from four other states to address the concerns related to WeChat and its connections to the international fentanyl trade.

Highlighting the Nationwide Impact

The eleven Republican attorneys general noted the significance of their trip to the southern border, stressing that every state is now a border state due to the trafficking of fentanyl, deadly drugs, and human smuggling. They argue that the consequences of border security extend far beyond states physically adjacent to Mexico.

Responses to the Current Administration

As the discussions progressed, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman reflected on the stark contrasts in border security management between the Biden administration and the Trump administration. He stated, “In the dark days of the Biden administration, this part of the border saw 1,500 illegal crossings a day. Today? Just four. That’s leadership.” Coleman recalled the impact on Kentucky, where drug-related fatalities spiked, resulting in 1,400 lives lost last year.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall echoed these sentiments, remarking that while Alabama does not border Mexico, it still faces the repercussions of an open border. He assured, “Border encounters are down 93%, gotaways down 95%. That’s the result of letting immigration enforcement do their jobs. We’re not just the last line of defense; we are now partners in restoring the rule of law.”

A Call for Accountability

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita pointed out that when federal leaders fail to perform, every state absorbs the consequences. He articulated that Indiana was the first non-border state to take legal action against the Biden administration regarding its immigration policies, reflecting the urgency of intervention. Rokita added, “I’m here not just for our law enforcement, but for the teachers overwhelmed by the fallout, for the parents and professionals caught in a broken system. Enough is enough.”

Local Economic Implications

The tour also brought attention to the financial toll the border crisis has inflicted on local economies. For instance, Kobach highlighted the underscored failures of the Biden administration in blocking the progress of border wall construction initiated during Trump’s presidency. He categorized this inaction as a “dereliction of duty” that demonstrates a deliberate effort to maintain an open border.

Moreover, local hospital systems reported incurring approximately $26 million in unreimbursed care costs due to migrant treatment between December 2021 and May 2022. This stems from the peak crisis period when nearly 350,000 illegal crossings occurred in the Yuma sector within a single year.

Impacts on Agriculture and Military Readiness

The surge of illegal crossings has led to significant losses, such as the reported $1.2 million detriment to three family farms in the region, which faced disruptions from migrant activity around their crops. Additionally, local officials expressed concern that military readiness has been compromised. The Marine Top Gun School, which conducts regular live-fire drills in the area, experienced disruptions linked to the crisis as illegal crossings surged near military training ranges.

Moving Forward with Renewed Focus

As the Republican attorneys general left Yuma, they were equipped not only with valuable insights from their visit but also armed with a resolute commitment to enhance border security. Their unified stance emphasizes the ongoing fight against the challenges presented by illicit drugs and human trafficking, creating an urgent call to reevaluate and reinforce America’s approach to border control in the months ahead.