Sen. Kelly Visits Southern Border, Hears from CBP and Local Leaders

Kelly visited Cochise County and Nogales, and received CBP and USBP briefings on the current situation at the border

Kelly also met with mayors and county officials, and toured the Mariposa Port of Entry

On Thursday, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly visited Cochise County and Nogales where he was briefed by Customs and Border Protection’s Field Operations and Border Patrol, and met with local leaders to discuss the increased number of migrant crossings and the impact on local communities. Kelly shared how he is pushing for a stronger federal response to alleviate the burden on border communities, including additional staffing and resources and his legislation to increase Border Patrol hiring and pay.   

“It’s unacceptable for the burden of this continued crisis to fall on Arizona border communities. It’s straining the resources of counties and small towns, stretching Border Patrol thin, and leading to more unpredictable wait times at the ports of entry,” said Senator Kelly. “This is a federal government responsibility. I’m going to keep pushing for the staffing and resources needed for a secure, humane, orderly process at the border.”  

In Cochise County, Kelly visited the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station in Naco, Arizona, and met with Cochise County Sherriff Mark Dannels, County Supervisor Ann English, Emergency Management Director Dan Duchon, Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, and Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa. 

Sen. Kelly visits the Naco Border Patrol Station

In Nogales, Kelly visited the Nogales Border Patrol Station and toured the Mariposa Port of Entry. He also met with Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado, Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway, Santa Cruz County Emergency Management Director Sobeira Castro, Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, Pima County Director of Emergency Management Shane Clark, Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona Chief Operations Officer Teresa Cavendish, and Casa Alitas Director Diego Lopez. 

Sen. Kelly meets with local and county officials in Nogales

Sen. Kelly is briefed by a CBP officer at the Mariposa Port of Entry