San Luis councilmember speaks about immigration and ‘Wall’

The city of San Luis has been at the forefront of our border crisis, with construction happening nearby and the port of entry at the center of their city.

Construction for President Trump’s border wall is happening in three areas within Yuma County, one project already underway.

Matias Rosales, City of San Luis councilmember, said this is nothing new to the border town.

“If it is another tool to help protect the border and expedite the legal flow of traffic through our port of entry, it’s something that needs to be done and to be added to the security of the United States, but it is not something new to our area,” explained Matias Rosales, San Luis councilmember.

Rosales explained that to his knowledge, San Luis is not following suit and declaring an emergency like the city of Yuma did, even though Mayor Doug Nicholls asked other surrounding cities to do so.

Instead, the city released a statement acknowledging the emergency.

“We work here as a region together, along with the city of San Luis, Somerton, Wellton, all the region we work together. We should send out a statement in support that we acknowledge he did what he did and we’re here to support the city of Yuma in case of anything on behalf of the city of San Luis.”

Rosales said as a city they have not been reached out to–to help but he said illegal immigrants have found their way down to San Luis after being released into Yuma.

Overall, Rosales said the concern they have with immigration is keeping everything orderly to continue the relationship they have on the other side of the border, especially because shoppers travel between the United States and Mexico who make purchases regularly.