Stories - AZPM

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

Michael Ortiz has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for smuggling migrants after leading Border Patrol on a high-speed chase.

A pink sunset lights the sky behind Saguaro National Park east.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

George Alan Kelly’s second-degree murder trial is set to proceed after a reluctant eye-witness agrees to testify in border shooting.

Tucson Sector sets 15-year high with July border apprehensions

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.

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

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.

A few of the Arizona-Mexico border from a helicopter operated by Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations. June 2021.

Kelly and Sinema criticize federal funding “failure” for migrant aid programs

Pima County warns migrant services may stop if funding is not increased.

A pair of bobcats behind a home in central Tucson.

The Center for Biological Diversity petitions Mexican environmental ministry to protect bobcats

The species faces numerous threats.

Vana Dee Lewis wearing one of her #WORTHY shirts.

Vana Dee Lewis wants you to know you are "#WORTHY."

Also on Arizona Spotlight: From Odyssey Storytelling, Ana Montanez shares a story about discovering inner strength, and Gabriel Dozal on his book "The Border Simulator."

Members from the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, and members from the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, hosted a hearing Tuesday at Cochise College relating to the Biden Administration's approach to mitigating illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona) (right) attended the meeting. Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) (second from the left) talks about his perspective on the matter. August 8, 2023.

Border is an “Existential Crisis” to House Republicans

Five Congressional Republicans condemned President Biden’s border policy at a subcommittee hearing Tuesday afternoon in Cochise County.

Since the year 2000, the Pima County Medical Examiner has received nearly 4,000 sets of human remains from people who died crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Arizona. Here, a cross marking the place where a man in his 30s died in 2009 lays a few hundred yards from one of the water stations the nonprofit Humane Borders sets out for migrants crossing the desert.

Woman dies after calling 911 from remote part of Arizona desert

A migrant died in Border Patrol custody after agents found her with symptoms of severe heat stroke.

Border officials process 241 migrants who crossed the border near Ajo, Arizona, on May 10, 2023, the day before the end of Title 42.

Apprehensions and rescues increase in Border Patrol Tucson Sector

Migrant apprehensions and rescues have reached record highs in Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, making it the busiest sector in the nation, with nearly half of the migrants being families.

Photo courtesy of Alejandra Aragón, a contributor to the Reclaiming the Border Narrative archive.

The University of Arizona launches website showcasing U.S.-Mexico borderlands stories to reclaim border narrative

The Confluencenter is collaborating with borderlands artists, advocates, journalists, and others to showcase stories, art and other projects from the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, aiming to present a comprehensive and diverse history of the region.

Agents with the Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue team (BORSTAR) provide first aid to a man (not pictured) who flagged down a car for help off a highway in Pima County on April 9, 2019. The man told agents he was from Guatemala and had been lost the desert for several days.

Border Patrol rescues in the Arizona borderlands climb as extreme heat continues

Amidst ongoing extreme heat, Border Patrol rescues surge in the Arizona borderlands, and officials continue to find human remains.

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