Border Update: Yuma Sheriff Reveals Changes in Immigration Policies and Local Impact

In 2022, the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma County, Arizona was experiencing a crisis, with up to 1,500 migrants crossing illegally per day. Now in 2025, that number has dropped dramatically to around 9 per day. What changed? Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot provides an eye-opening update on the situation.

Key Changes at the Border

Sheriff Wilmot highlights several major changes since 2022:

• Illegal crossings are down 93% in the Yuma sector
• Border Patrol agents are back in the field doing enforcement rather than processing
• New sections of border wall have been constructed, including under the Biden administration
• Mexican military is now checking southbound traffic for guns and money flowing into Mexico
• Cartels have lost a major revenue stream from human smuggling

The sheriff emphasizes that these changes have allowed law enforcement to refocus on community needs rather than being overwhelmed by the border crisis.

Impacts on Local Healthcare

One of the biggest local impacts was on Yuma's only hospital. Michelle Finney, President and CEO of Yuma Regional Medical Center, explains:

• In 2022, the hospital saw up to 900 migrants per month needing care
• This led to $26 million in unpaid medical bills that year
• Now they see about 76 migrants over a 6 month period
• Most now come with Border Patrol and costs are reimbursed by the government

Finney notes the strain this put on hospital resources and local patients. While they aim to provide equal care to all, the volume was unsustainable long-term for the non-profit hospital.

Law Enforcement Perspective

A recently retired Border Patrol agent with 23 years of experience provides insight into how policies impacted agents:

• Under previous policies, most agents were pulled off the border for processing duties
• This left minimal "skeleton crews" actually patrolling
• The agent felt the agency went from enforcement to "part of a smuggling organization"
• Many newer agents never learned proper field work, only processing

He emphasizes that most agents strongly disagreed with policies that prevented actual border security work.

Community and Economic Impacts

Sheriff Wilmot highlights other ways the border crisis affected the Yuma community:

• Local farms had crops contaminated by migrants crossing fields
• Schools and social services were strained by the influx
• Cartels exploited gaps in the border wall, leading to deaths in the desert
• Tourism and winter visitors were impacted

He notes that getting back to normal operations has been a relief for the community.

Political Realities

While avoiding partisan rhetoric, Sheriff Wilmot doesn't shy away from critiquing policies he felt were harmful:

• Expresses frustration that federal officials ignored local law enforcement input
• Believes some policies incentivized illegal immigration
• Feels media often spun or ignored the realities on the ground
• Advocates for keeping "politics out of public safety"

He emphasizes wanting an orderly, legal immigration system that doesn't overwhelm communities or incentivize dangerous illegal crossings.

Looking Forward

While the situation has improved dramatically, challenges remain:

• Cartels still operate in the area, now focusing more on drug smuggling
• Some gaps in the border wall remain
• Long-term solutions for immigration policy are still needed
• Rebuilding Border Patrol's field operations will take time

Sheriff Wilmot hopes sharing these on-the-ground realities will help inform better policies going forward. He emphasizes wanting an immigration system that is orderly, legal, and doesn't overwhelm local communities.

Conclusion

This update from Yuma County provides valuable insight into how changes in border policies can dramatically impact both security and local communities. While avoiding partisan framing, it highlights the real-world effects of immigration policies. The perspectives of law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community leaders paint a nuanced picture of this complex issue.

As the national debate around immigration continues, these ground-level insights from the border are crucial for developing effective, humane policies. The dramatic changes in Yuma demonstrate both the challenges of mass illegal immigration and the potential for improvement with adjusted policies and enforcement.

Ultimately, Sheriff Wilmot advocates for an approach that balances security, orderly immigration, and the needs of both migrants and local communities. His firsthand account offers much for policymakers and the public to consider as the nation continues to grapple with this challenging issue.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLmGuEuansw