A group of around 10 people is gathered in a Santa Cruz county building to welcome the 10 fellows of the World Press Institute in Nogales, an Arizona town bordering Mexico. The mayor himself, along with some county officials and local business owners. All seem eager to tell the international journalists, how this border crossing “is not what they would read in the news.”
“Nogales is one of the safest borders in the country,” says Mayor Jorge Maldonado of Nogales. “We have everyone here, FBI, Border Patrol, ICE agents. It is a very safe city, crossing the border is a daily thing and we have great relationship with Sonora” in Mexico.
This is the entry point to hundreds of thousands of people coming from Central and South America. In the discussion with local officials, they list reasons why so many people chase “the American dream,” including running from gang and drug violence, political turmoil or even draught in their respective countries.
A large section of this border is a big fence separating the two Nogales, one here in the United States and the other in Mexico. While in power, President Donald Trump ordered wire barbs be put around the fence to make it more difficult to cross. Locally, it is known as “NATO barbed wire.”
Mexico, is vital to the wellbeing of the town and beyond, and the mayor says the town “cannot live without Mexico.” The city relies on their neighboring nation for Mexican-grown fruits and vegetables heading north.
According to the University of Arizona data, Nogales saw an import of over $2 billion in March of this year. As the election approaches, this town and many like it are part of the swing state that could help decide the election.
Santa Cruz County where Nogales is voted overwhelming for Democrats in 2020.
Rafael Carranza, an immigration reporter with the Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix, says a possible Trump win might see more walls and fences with the neighboring country.
“If Republicans control the White House and Trump wins, he would likely attempt to implement various policies via executive action,” Carranza says. “Some of the policies Trump has pointed to include re-implementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (Remain in Mexico), or resume construction of border barriers.”
Carranza says a Harris White House would “likely continue the restrictions on asylum in place since June.”
Immigration is among the three most important issues concerning voters this election, along with the economy and abortion. It is especially high on the agenda here in Arizona,.
“Immigration has been a central theme in this campaign,” Carranza says. “It is a common talking point, and we hear about it almost every day.”
“A lot of the conversation has been based on fear, urging voters to reject the flow of migrants and policies that allow them and asylum seekers access to the United States. That’s resulted in asylum restrictions in place since June via executive order to reduce the number of people reaching the border.”
Data show illegal entry, based on border arrests, was lower in July 2024 than during the Trump administration last month in power.
