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 / Modified apr 2, 2019 8:29 a.m.

Sen McSally Says Cross-Border Trade, Travel Should Continue

President Donald Trump threatened to close the border this week over immigration. by Matthew Casey, Fronteras Desk

mcsally ice 2019 fd U.S. Sen. Martha McSally answers questions from reporters outside the Phoenix office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 1, 2019.
Matthew Casey/Fronteras Desk

President Donald Trump threatened to close the border this week over immigration, but Arizona Sen. Martha McSally said Monday morning trade and travel should continue.

McSally spoke with reporters after a meeting with immigration authorities and groups giving aid to migrant families released in the Phoenix area. Several questions were about the possibility of closing the border.

There are about 200,000 jobs in Arizona tied to cross-border commerce, and international trade is a key part of the state’s economy, McSally said.

“It’s my view that we’ve got to keep the legitimate trade and travel and cross-border commerce happening at the ports of entry, while we also need to secure our border and address this crisis,” she said.

When asked if closing the border is a realistic possibility, McSally said she did not know the Trump administration’s plan going forward.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
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