PHOENIX — As President Donald Trump nears one year back in office, border apprehensions have dropped sharply across southern states, prompting Arizona officials to revisit proposals that would expand legal immigration opportunities alongside heightened enforcement.
According to Customs and Border Protection, there have been 443,671 land border encounters so far in 2025 — far below the more than 2 million reported annually between 2022 and 2024. State and local leaders in Arizona, long advocates for stricter border control, are now calling for new visa programs to meet labor needs while maintaining security.
Arizona previously pushed Congress in 2007 and 2008 to create “market-based visa programs” and guest worker systems for essential Mexican laborers, though none were implemented. The state also enacted a controversial 2010 law requiring police to check immigration status during stops, parts of which were later struck down by the Supreme Court.
Today, Arizona balances enforcement with advocacy for reform. Immigration groups such as Arizona Justice for Our Neighbors provide legal and educational services to immigrants, while Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has proposed new pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and long-term residents. “We don’t have to choose between border security and immigration reform,” Gallego said.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
