ARIZONA NEWS

Yuma mayor: Gov. Ducey’s executive order to fill wall gaps ‘definitely helps’

Aug 13, 2022, 7:15 AM

In an aerial view, immigrants wait in line to be processed by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing...

In an aerial view, immigrants wait in line to be processed by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing through a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border barrier on May 21, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona. Title 42, the controversial pandemic-era border policy enacted by former President Trump, which cites COVID-19 as the reason to rapidly expel asylum seekers at the U.S. border, was set to officially expire on May 23rd. A federal judge in Louisiana delivered a ruling yesterday blocking the Biden administration from lifting Title 42. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey made news Friday, issuing an executive order that would fill out nearly a quarter-mile of gaps in the border wall near Yuma.

Construction on the gaps began at 9 a.m. and is being funded by $6 million from the fiscal year 2023 state budget.

“It is definitely helpful,” Yuma mayor Doug Nicholls told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad on Friday. “It’s interim, but there’s 700 or 800 people coming through the border every day. It won’t stop them all, we have over 50 gaps in the wall.”

Nicholls said they will use 40-foot shipping containers stacked on top of one another to fill out the gaps in the wall. He added that it’s the interim plan to fill the gaps while they wait for the Biden administration to complete the wall as promised.

In January,  Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines met with DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, promising that changes would be made at the border.

However, Nicholls said that the gaps being filled with the shipping containers are the same ones Mayorkas said would be filled.

“Yes, same gaps,” the mayor said. “In the last two weeks we got funding for filling the gaps, but it needs federal approval.”

Nicholls said that Border Patrol experienced four days where they couldn’t handle the flow of migrants crossing the border.

He added that the flow has dropped off some, and they’ve received assistance in transporting migrants.

With the president planning to eventually fill the wall, Nicholls doesn’t think this move by Ducey is a waste.

“Because of the time between now and then, it could take them 16 weeks or so to fill it,” Nicholls said. “That’s a lot of people coming through, I think it’s worth it to spend now and slow the flow.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Colton Krolak/KTAR)...

Colton Krolak

The Mesa Temple Christmas lights continue through Dec. 31

The Christmas light display at the Mesa Temple of the Church of Latter-day Saints is back and free to the public.

27 minutes ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect a vehicle at the Lukeville Port of Entry on the...

Kevin Stone

Major Arizona border crossing to close, with staffing redirected to catch migrants

U.S. officials are closing the Lukeville Port of Entry on the Arizona-Mexico border Monday to better deal with a surge in illegal crossings.

2 hours ago

Mugshot of Steven Ray Gault III, who was booked into jail for manslaughter after a fatal shooting i...

KTAR.com

Woman dead, man jailed after night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix

A night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix this week ended with a woman dead and man behind bars, authorities said.

4 hours ago

FILE - Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor poses for a photo in 1982. O'Connor who ...

KTAR.com

Arizona leaders react to death of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Arizona leaders offered tributes to retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor after the Grand Canyon State icon died Friday.

5 hours ago

Phoenix patrol vehicle with caution tape nearby....

KTAR.com

Teenager arrested in connection with fatal triple-shooting in west Phoenix

A teenage boy was arrested Thursday for a triple-shooting in Phoenix that left one person dead a day earlier.

6 hours ago

Azteca Bridal, a Phoenix wedding and quinceañera dress store, closed after 60 years....

Alyssa Bickle /Cronkite News

Azteca Bridal closes doors in Phoenix after 60 years of family-operated business

Azteca Bridal closed its doors for the last time after selling quinceañera and bridal dresses for 60 years.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University: innovating Arizona health care education

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus near Loop 101 and 59th Avenue is an established leader in health care education and one of Arizona’s largest and most valuable health care resources.

Yuma mayor: Gov. Ducey’s executive order to fill wall gaps ‘definitely helps’