Kelly Statement on DHS Announcement to Address Barriers Along Arizona-Mexico Border

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released a statement following the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement to authorize the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to address life, safety, environmental, and remediation requirements for border barrier projects located within the Border Patrol’s Yuma and Tucson Sectors. 

Kelly has continued to press the Biden administration to address Arizona’s unique border security challenges. Last week, Kelly called on President Joe Biden to close some gaps in border fencing in Yuma and along the Arizona-Mexico border, where U.S. Border Patrol continues to encounter larger groups of migrants entering the United States in the Yuma sector, and to assess short gaps along the border to address them based on analysis of the situation on the ground. Earlier this year, Kelly also raised the issue with DHS about the concerning conditions in Guadalupe Canyon left behind by previous border wall construction. 

“I’m glad that the Department of Homeland Security has heard our needs from Arizona and will take action to address some of the challenges at the Arizona-Mexico border. I look forward to reviewing the details of the plan as closing some of the gaps and installing gates will be positive steps to secure sections of the border. Repairing land damaged in Cochise County, like Guadalupe Canyon, will help protect homes and ranchland from flooding and other hazards while restoring natural barriers in the landscape that support security goals,” said Senator Kelly. 

“Today’s announcement is a good step forward, but we still need smart border security that meets Arizona’s unique needs while ensuring a secure, orderly, and humane response to this border crisis. I will continue to hold the Biden administration accountable to that,” Kelly continued.