MONTEZUMA PASS, Ariz. – In the scorching heat of midday at the U.S.-Mexico border, six individuals affected by illegal immigration joined former President Donald Trump on August 22 to share their experiences. They expressed their frustration, claiming that those in positions of power are not paying attention to their concerns.
The group consisted of survivors of attacks and a sheriff burdened with the hefty cost of detaining criminal undocumented immigrants. Each person emphasized their belief that Trump’s policies would improve the situation, which is why they support his potential return to the White House as the 47th president.
Patty Morin, a grieving mother, gathered her strength and stepped up to the microphone beside Trump. Despite speaking at the border wall visit to show her support for his candidacy, Morin urged people to rise above politics and consider the impact of illegal immigration on Americans.
“We are here because we have lost our moms, daughters, and children to criminals. This should not happen,” said Morin, tears welling up in her eyes as she concluded her speech.
“We should prioritize taking care of our country and our people,” Morin added. “I firmly believe this can only happen if President Trump is reelected and we tighten the border, reinstating earlier policies instead of having this open-border approach.”
Trump claimed that crimes committed by migrants or tied to illegal immigrants are not adequately tracked, making it difficult to assess the toll these crimes take on society. He shared that he frequently hears stories of crime victims from both individuals affected and law enforcement officers.
When asked about his reaction upon hearing about the ordeals faced by crime victims, Trump replied, “I don’t know how they can endure it.” He commended law enforcement officers for their unwavering courage while carrying out their duties in perilous environments, often facing injuries and risking their lives.
“We are currently witnessing the most chaotic border situation we have ever seen,” Trump remarked during the visit to the border.
According to Perez, “Under President Trump, we had the most effective policies in place, resulting in record-low levels of illegal border crossings. Now, we are witnessing the complete opposite.”
While the number of border encounters has decreased in recent months, it remains higher than in many previous years. Trump prioritized the construction of additional miles of border wall, but the Biden-Harris administration halted its construction. Unused construction materials still lie piled up at the site of Trump’s border visit.
Standing between the existing wall and the unused materials, Perez stated, “To my right is what we call the Trump Wall, built during President Trump’s term. To my left, we have what we can refer to as the Kamala Wall. It remains idle, accomplishing nothing. This is how our border has become – wide open.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment regarding the statements made during Trump’s event.
Perez’s predecessor, former border patrol agent Brandon Judd, claimed to have attempted to work with Harris. “I informed her transition team about the repercussions of eliminating Trump’s policies. We suggested alternative policies within her framework, but she refused to listen,” Judd stated.
Since Trump’s departure, Sheriff Dannels has witnessed the failures of the current policies, failures that have affected this country, its citizens, and the silent suffering of my fellow residents, all because nobody is listening.
During the past 31 months, the Cochise County Jail has booked 3,762 individuals for crimes related to the border. Dannels clarified that these are not solely immigration issues; they are crimes directly linked to the border, including double-digit murders. The cost of incarcerating these suspects has amounted to $12.5 million, with zero financial assistance from the federal government.
“America’s sheriffs have remained resolute in securing our borders. We have exhausted every avenue in attempting to meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris, but our efforts have been futile,” Dannels expressed.
Dannels frequently visited the White House when Trump was in office, emphasizing the former president’s unwavering support. He turned to Trump and asserted, “I can assure you, Mr. President, this community and our law enforcement professionals will never lose hope. To us, hope embodies confidence, commitment, and courage. Your visit today revitalizes our hope.”