Migrants continue to seek asylum at Yuma border

FOX 9's Adam Klepp went to the wall on May 23rd, the original expiration date for Title 42

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - Because of a federal court ruling, Title 42 did not expire on May 23 but that news may not have reached all asylum seekers.

With the Yuma sector already averaging about one-thousand apprehensions a day since March, large migrant crowds gathered at the Morelos Dam gap and near the Cocopah Reservation.

They say they're seeking a new start in the United States.

“i’m looking for security, and a better life. It will help my family,” Silvia Carolina, from El Salvador said.

According to Customs and Border Protection, Title 42 has been used to deport close to 2 million migrants since the pandemic began in March 2020.

But over 20 states, including Arizona, sued the CDC over its attempt to end the policy.

A federal judge ruled in favor of the states, keeping Title 42 alive at the border, at least for the near future.

But the news may not have reached migrants waiting near the border in Mexico.

“We heard the last day would be the 23rd. So that’s why the people are crossing,” Indra Jit, from Nepal said.

According to local lawmakers, even larger crowds were here Sunday night, potentially contributing to migrants waiting a long time to be apprehended by local agents.

“I have been here since 5 o’clock yesterday. I am hungry and thirsty, and it is very hot," Oscar Rodriguez, from Colombia said.

The safety of the large groups is concerning to Fernie Quiroz, who runs a local humanitarian group providing water and food to migrants.

He says he understands border patrol may be backlogged but says long waits at the wall are dangerous as the summer nears.

“We live in the extreme heat here. We don’t want to see someone fall ill because of a lack of water. It’s just the right, and human thing to do,” Quiroz said.

The Yuma Sector is currently reporting the third most apprehensions of the nine southern border sectors.

It is seeing the biggest percentage increase in encounters of any sector, with agents apprehending four times as many migrants now compared to this time last year.