Along the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico, Arizona has been ground zero for the immigration crisis in the United States. At the end of the last presidential administration, illegal border crossings surged, presenting a crushing challenge to Arizona's police, sheriffs, border patrol, and other law enforcement agencies.

Border wall construction resumes in AZ
Canva
loading...

Arizona witnessed an astonishing rise in high-speed chases, dangerous incidents of human trafficking, and an alarming surge in fentanyl distribution that endangered the lives of civilians and law enforcement every day.

READ: How Bad is the Fentanyl Crisis in Arizona?

Trump Administration Will Continue Building the Wall in Arizona

The Trump administration announced plans to continue building the wall, picking up where they left off when President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The administration announced that construction of a seven-mile stretch of the border wall in Arizona will resume, as originally planned.

Border wall construction resumes in AZ
Canva
loading...

B-921 logo
Get our free mobile app

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the plans, as one of the goals of President Trump's second term, would officially continue, with plans to build seven more miles of wall in Arizona.

READ: Arizona Voters Want Something Done About the Border NOW

"Environmental Concerns and Shifting Immigration Policy"

President Biden stopped the wall's construction, citing environmental concerns while implementing an extreme shift in immigration policy.

Wildlife experts stoked concerns, believing the wall could have "disastrous consequences" and be "absolutely devastating" for wildlife in the area, cutting off habits and preventing species migration.

Border wall construction resumes in AZ
Canva
loading...

As Donald Trump refocuses border security, he claims that completing the wall is a key element toward curbing illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

Secretary Noem underscored [Trump's] point, saying the wall is essential toward "impeding and denying illegal border crossings and the drug- and human-smuggling activities of cartels."

Arizona Law Enforcement and the Border

Since 2021, law enforcement resources in Arizona have been strained as they attempt to keep up with the surge in illegal activities. Cochise County, for example, was becoming notorious for high-speed chases involving smugglers. A sheriff's deputy was critically injured during one such incident.

Border wall construction resumes in AZ
Canva
loading...

READ: Pleas for Help After High-Speed Chase Injures CCSO Deputy

As law enforcement struggled to stem the tide of illicit drugs and human trafficking operations run by dangerous cartels, they begged the federal government for resources to protect the public.

Building the wall in Arizona may be one more resource that will help turn the tide for law enforcement and help disrupt these illegal activities.

Border wall construction resumes in AZ
Canva
loading...

New York Post | FoxNews | Audobon Society ]

LOOK: What Arizona's immigrant population looked like in 1900

Stacker compiled a list of the largest sources of immigrants in Arizona in 1900 using data transcribed from the 1900 U.S. Census.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

2023 Best Looking State Patrol Cars In (Almost) Every State

For the past 10 years, the American Association of State Troopers has held a contest to determine which state has the best looking patrol cruiser. Nearly every state police agency submits their best photo of their sharpest patrol vehicle a chance to win the coveted cover photo on the association's annual calendar. From cop cars rushing through blizzards to vehicles on the Grand Ole Opry stage, here are this 2023's nominees.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

LOOK: Here are the states where you are most likely to hit an animal

Hitting an animal while driving is a frightening experience, and this list ranks all 50 states in order of the likelihood of such incidents happening, in addition to providing tips on how to avoid them.

Gallery Credit: Dom DiFurio & Jacob Osborn

More From B-921