Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

San Luis Mayor Supports Arizona Governor's Border Actions

Victor Calderón/KAWC
San Luis Mayor Gerardo Sanchez speaks after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey toured an area of the border near Yuma on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

The mayor of San Luis, Ariz. says he supports Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision this week to declare a state of emergency on the border and send state National Guard troops to his community.  

 

Mayor Gerardo Sanchez was invited to speak Wednesday after Gov.Ducey toured the border near Yuma. Sanchez said he welcomes the National Guard, who already have a presence in San Luis administering COVID-19 vaccines.  

 

He says any assistance that will allow the San Luis Port of Entry to remain open for the usual travel of locals across the U.S.-Mexico border is welcome.  

 

 

“Whatever support our Border Patrol can get, whatever support our Men in Blue, Customs get, it helps us,” Sanchez told KAWC.

 

Mayor Sanchez said when border officers are sent to encounter migrants, it leads to longer wait times at the port of entry.   

 

Sanchez said asylum seekers have stressed non-profit and religious organizations in San Luis in the past. 

 

While Sanchez was invited to Wednesday's press conference, Democratic leaders state Rep. Charlene Fernandez and state Sen. Lisa Otondo said they were not invited.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
Related Content