Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona gets firsthand look at border situation

PHOENIX – Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona on Monday made his second trip to the U.S.-Mexico border since he took office late last year.

The Democrat was briefed by Yuma Border Patrol Sector Chief Chris Clem before touring the border operations, according to a press release.

He also visited Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground for briefings and met with area elected and public health leaders.

Kelly has been pushing the Biden administration for planning and resources to address the surge of migrants at the Southwest border, according to the release.

Kelly previously visited the border in January, touring the Port of Douglas a month after he was sworn in following his November special election victory over Republican incumbent Martha McSally.

The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border is at the highest level since a spring 2019 surge under Donald Trump, according to statistics released last month.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently warned they are on pace to hit a 20-year peak.

Last month, Kelly told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona Morning News he considered the border situation a crisis.

“We need to get this situation under control,” he said at the time. “And that means more resources for the border, to our border towns, resources to charities that are trying to handle the situation.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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