How Does This Affect Arizona? Bad Border Policy & Dangerous Chases

Why it Matters: The Border Crisis in Southeastern Arizona is a Growing Concern

It seems the folks in Washington DC don't think much about the southern border. The problem may as well exist on another planet until migrants are bussed into their posh neighborhoods.

In Cochise County, it's quite a different conversation. The Cochise County Sheriff and other agencies band together to face the growing problem of drugs and human smuggling.

The Impact: Human Smuggling and the Arizona Border

Recently, CBS News filmed a news story in Cochise County. It happened on the fateful day Cochise County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Oletski was injured in the line of duty while stopping a fleeing human smuggler in September. Another deputy was injured in October.

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Mexican drug cartels have turned to social media to recruit smugglers. AZ Family reported that most who respond to the social media ads are Americans.

Many of them are teens as young as 13 years old. More than 400 people have been arrested since last year while attempting to flee law enforcement in Arizona. Over 100 of the arrests were juveniles.

Unintended Results: "Go As Fast As Possible"

According to Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, the drivers are told to get through Cochise County as fast as possible.

As the perpetrators lead law enforcement on high-speed chases through the county, they endanger the lives of the migrants in the vehicle, law enforcement, and innocent Arizona families on the roadway.

Where We Are Now: Border Policy Changes

In Southeastern Arizona, border policy has a direct effect. Washington DC seems to change policies based on political cycles, rather than actual statistics and facts. BBC News reported that President Biden "flip-flopped" on border policy and that he was now planning to continue construction on the Trump-era wall in Texas.

A subsequent story by the Washinton Examiner reported that Biden hadn't changed his policy; he stated his administration was required by law to continue building the wall.

Border Polich: The Deadly Results

Innocent bystanders have been hurt or killed by drivers attempting to flee law enforcement during smuggling episodes.

In November of 2021, a teenage driver from Mesa blew through a stoplight at the intersection of Highway 82 and Highway 90. The busy intersection, known as Mustang Corners, is part of the main thoroughfare leading to Interstate 10 in Cochise County.

The teen collided with another vehicle, instantly killing a woman from Benson who was driving to her own birthday party. The driver was caught smuggling two migrants at the time of the crash.

For more on the Border Crisis in Cochise County, watch this from CBS News via YouTube.