Political rhetoric around border issues heats up

Some Arizona politicians say cartel activity can be legally defined as an 'invasion' - FOX 9's Adam Klepp reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - Illegal crossings at night and in the early morning hours continue in Yuma

“We cross at night because in the day it is hot," Said Hernandez, from Peru said.

With border apprehensions on pace to top two million, and break last year’s record, the situation at the border is a major topic in the mid-terms and Arizona's governor race.

Arizona’s Attorney General, and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Brnovich issued a legal opinion in February saying the human and drug smuggling by Mexican cartels into the United States legally fit the definition of an invasion.

And in a recent border campaign ad, Kari Lake agreed saying “Arizona is under attack” and “as governor, I would issue a declaration of invasion.” because of issues at the border.

Brnovich’s opinion gives Arizona's governor the legal go-ahead to use “defensive use of force” with the National Guard at the border.

The National Guard does remain deployed in Yuma, but is serving in a support role only to local law enforcement, and border patrol.

So are the migrants, who are voluntarily giving themselves up to border patrol, then seeking asylum, a right under U.S. Law, invading the United States?

Sofia is from Russia, and she arrived in Yuma on July 14th.

She says she didn’t want to leave her home, but believed it was the best option for her future due to the current war in Ukraine.

“If we hadn’t had any reasons to come here we wouldn’t, it’s the country we’re born in,” Sofia said.

Sofia says she plans on going to stay with family in Chicago.

Another migrant from Lima, Peru said he came to the United States because of economic opportunity.

"Here there is a better future for me and my family. In Peru things are not good so we came to the United States,” Hernandez said.

For now close to one thousand migrants continue showing up at the border nightly in Yuma.

And it does not appear they will stop anytime soon.