Following Sen. Kelly’s Leadership, DHS to Begin Construction and Permanently Close Morelos Dam Gaps at the Southern Border 

For over a year, Kelly pushed the Biden administration to close the border barrier gaps in Yuma that posed security challenges for Border Patrol

After successfully pushing the Biden administration to close four border barrier gaps near the Morelos Dam, today, Arizona Senator Kelly announced that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin construction this week to permanently close these gaps along the Arizona-Mexico border. Construction is expected to be completed this summer. 

“From day one, I’ve been pushing the Biden administration to address the crisis at our southern border including closing barrier gaps that make it tougher for Border Patrol agents to do their jobs. I’m glad that after many months of urging the White House to fix this issue, construction is finally starting to permanently close these gaps in Yuma. While this is a step in the right direction, there is more work to do to ensure an orderly, secure, and humane border response. I’ll keep working to make sure the administration is listening to the needs of Arizona’s border communities. I’ll continue working with the administration to quickly complete this project,” said Senator Mark Kelly.

The announcement comes as Kelly and a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators are set to tour the gaps at Morelos Dam tomorrow as part of their two-day visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. For over a year, Kelly worked to secure this commitment from the administration, first pressing the White House in December 2021. Last summer, Kelly toured the gaps near the Morelos Dam where he also met with local leaders and law enforcement about how the border crisis was straining border communities.

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