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Border and Immigration

Border Patrol agents patrol along a line of shipping containers stacked near the border Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, near Yuma, Ariz.

Arizona border wall lawsuits dismissed, paving the way for environmental restoration

Oct 5, 2023 From legal resolution to environmental revival: Arizona's next chapter
The port of entry in Douglas, Arizona in April 2016.

Migrants camp at Agua Prieta port hoping to claim asylum

Sep 28, 2023 At the port of entry south of Douglas, Arizona, about 100 migrants, mostly families, camp on the sidewalk with air mattress and thin blankets after fleeing violence-stricken parts of Mexico.
Border Patrol process migrants near Lukeville on May 10, 2023.

Tucson Sector still busiest in the nation for migrant apprehensions

Sep 25, 2023 In August, Border Patrol's Tucson Sector saw a 16-year high with nearly 49,000 unauthorized migrants apprehended.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels and other elected officials and law enforcement talk to reporters on Thursday, Sept. 14 about Border Patrol releasing migrants without services on the street in Bisbee and Douglas.

Border Patrol release more than 230 migrants in Cochise County as overcapacity continues

Sep 15, 2023 NGOs in Bisbee and Douglas stand up basic services to keep migrant families from waiting in the street for transportation.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels sits for an interview at his office in Bisbee on April 20, 2021.

Border officials release migrants on streets of Cochise due to over-capacity

Sep 14, 2023 The Tucson Sector is experiencing a significant increase in migrant crossings, with officials reportedly leaving migrants on the street Cochise County after processing due to capacity issues.
Two children color at Casa Alitas' shelter for migrants and asylum-seeking families on Sept. 30, 2019.

Pima County officials concerned as asylum seeker surge continues, funding dwindles

Sep 12, 2023 Pima County officials express growing concern as the influx of asylum seekers continues while federal funding decreases, raising fears of potential street releases due to funding shortages by May.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema talks to reporters in Tucson on Sept. 8, 2023.

Tucson migrant aid groups tell Sinema: Federal funding insufficient

Sep 8, 2023 Migrant aide workers from Tucson and throughout Arizona met with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Friday to discuss funding issues to assist the ongoing multitude of migrants coming through the southern border.
The U.S. - Mexico Border Wall near Sierra Vista.

Congressional watchdog describes border wall harm, says agencies should work together to ease damage

Sep 7, 2023 A report released by the Government Accountability Office offers the first independent assessment of damage caused by the building of more than 450 miles of wall.
A pink sunset lights the sky behind Saguaro National Park east.

Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal on helping loved ones survive dark times.

Sep 6, 2023 Also on Arizona Spotlight: Step into a Record Fair at the final HOCO Fest; A look at the living diversity of Navopatia; and Stories That Soar! returns with a tale about a local 5th grader's journey with retinoblastoma.
A file image of a judge's gavel in a courtroom at the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

70-year-old Tucson man sentenced after migrant smuggling and high-speed Border Patrol chase

Sep 6, 2023 Michael Ortiz has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for smuggling migrants after leading Border Patrol on a high-speed chase.
Border Patrol process migrants near Lukeville on May 10, 2023.

Human smugglers primarily control migration across the U.S.-Mexico border, and are likely making billions

Sep 5, 2023 While many migrants are forced to wait in Mexico for a chance to seek asylum in the U.S., they become even more vulnerable to the criminal organization making staggering profits controlling who crosses the border and where.
Border Patrol agents process a group of nearly 250 migrants in Ajo, Arizona, on Wednesday, May 10.

Single adult migrants in Tucson border sector put in detention as deterrent measure

Aug 25, 2023 The Tucson Sector gains additional personnel from Homeland Security as it grapples with a continuing surge of migrants at the border, mostly families and children.
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R) talk with the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. August 23, 2023

Grijalva and Ciscomani sitdown together

Aug 23, 2023 The talk was an opportunity to hear about differences and common ground.
Santa Cruz County rancher George Alan Kelly, who is accused of first-degree murder in the death of a Mexican man.

Rancher's murder trial to proceed

Aug 22, 2023 George Alan Kelly’s second-degree murder trial is set to proceed after a reluctant eye-witness agrees to testify in border shooting.
DACA students and supporters gather in 2017 after the president announced the end of the program that allowed "Dreamers" to stay in the country.

Freeze on DACA approvals leaves thousands of Arizona migrants in limbo

Aug 20, 2023 While the Department of Homeland Security stopped processing first-time DACA applications in October 2022, those who have coverage are still able to apply for renewal.
Border Patrol agents process a group of nearly 250 migrants in Ajo, Arizona, on Wednesday, May 10.

Tucson Sector sets 15-year high with July border apprehensions

Aug 18, 2023 As unauthorized migration in the Tucson Sector surpasses Texas to become the busiest in the nation, DHS sends dozens of additional staff to help with surge.

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