WASHINGTON –This morning, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls at a meeting with Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Ken Cuccinelli, withdrew Yuma’s State of Emergency proclamation that had been activated in response to the humanitarian crisis at the border, as thousands of migrants who illegally crossed the border were without shelter.

Mayor Nicholls issued the emergency proclamation on April 16, 2019, when thousands of migrants illegally crossed the border and were apprehended and released into the City of Yuma, overwhelming the shelter system. The mayor credits successful efforts of the Trump Administration, initiatives implemented by DHS and the Government of Mexico, the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP), as well as the repatriation to Central American countries. The humanitarian crisis experienced in Yuma this year has successfully been addressed in a way that allowed for Mayor Nicholls to withdraw the Proclamation of Emergency.

“I am grateful to be able to withdraw the Proclamation of Emergency due to the Trump Administration's policy changes that diminish the flow of the migrant family units to the Yuma area and prevent releases into the Yuma community,” said Mayor Nicholls. “Today is a momentous day for the Yuma region as I was able to withdraw the Proclamation of Emergency alongside Acting Deputy Secretary Cuccinelli.”

In April, immediately following the Proclamation of Emergency, Mayor Nicholls set forth a local task force of non-profits to provide humanitarian support while simultaneously urging for a federal solution and assistance from the President of the United States and DHS.

“The president’s strategy to address the crisis at the Southern border, particularly Central American families illegally flooding across the border, has worked and we are seeing an impact in border towns across the country,” said Acting Deputy Secretary Cuccinelli. “The number of Central American family units apprehended has decreased by 85% since the height of the crisis in May. And thanks to a number of policies we implemented, we have ended catch and release and are returning, removing and repatriating more aliens from the border than ever before. Now, communities like Yuma are directly seeing the effect of our efforts. We are pleased to stand alongside Mayor Nicholls and to work together to secure the border and protect the American people.”

For media inquiries, please contact Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist Lucy Valencia at (928) 373-5016 or Lucy.Valencia@YumaAz.gov.