President Donald Trump was in Yuma County where he visited a section of the U.S.-Mexico border fence near San Luis.
Trump's visit Tuesday was to commemorate more than 200 miles of fencing built.
Before visiting the fence, Trump met with local, state and federal officials at the Yuma Border Patrol Headquarters, including Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Yuma Police Chief Susan Smith.
“I’m thrilled to be in Yuma, Arizona... to commemorate the completion of more than 200 miles of powerful border wall," Trump said. "We’re on pace to complete 450 miles by the end of the year.”
CBP officials said construction is underway for 339 additional miles of new border fencing and 183 miles are in the pre-construction phase.
Trump landed aboard Air Force One at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma just before 11 a.m. Joining him on the plane was U.S. Sen. Martha McSally, who is running for re-election in November against Democrat Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
In a released statement, McSally said "It was great to join President Trump to mark the completion of 200 miles of border wall. This border wall system is critical to our national security, public health and stopping deadly drug and human trafficking by cartels. I'll continue working with the president to secure our border and support our amazing agents."
Trump’s visit to Arizona came as the state has experienced a jump in the number of COVID-19 cases. He and others in his traveling party did not wear face masks as is required in Yuma and San Luis.
Trump supporters and protesters lined up on streets around MCAS and the Border Patrol headquarters. One man wore a suit with bricks painted on to represent the wall.
Also joining Trump at the roundtable was Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan.
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more from Trump's visit to Yuma and San Luis.
