Border leaders assert that their communities are returning to "normality" before the Trump inauguration.

Despite rumors of a sudden surge, leaders at the southern border are stating that illegal immigration numbers are decreasing, and their communities are gradually returning to a sense of "normality" before President-elect Trump's second inauguration this month.

Sheriff Brad Coe of Kinney County, Texas, whose community lies between Eagle Pass and Del Rio, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that "the situation has shifted from complete chaos to a more peaceful state, with people feeling a bit more relaxed."

During the Biden administration, the number of illegal border crossings in Coe's area increased to 480,000 in 2022. The city of Eagle Pass, with a population of approximately 28,000, became the focal point of a legal dispute between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and federal authorities as the state attempted to address the record-breaking border crossings.

The Biden administration's relaxed border policies have resulted in significant financial losses and a persistent feeling of danger and uncertainty for people in Coe's county, according to him. Additionally, he stated that there has been a significant increase in dangerous law enforcement pursuits in his county.

"In a career, a law enforcement officer may have 10 or 15 good pursuits after 25-30 years of service. In 2023, one of my deputies was involved in 54 pursuits in one year, while we did 255 pursuits that year. This represents a significant increase from one or two pursuits per year to 250 pursuits per year, resulting in total chaos."

With Trump's return to power on Jan. 20, Coe expressed his optimism about the future.

The optimism stems from the shift in the administration's stance and the change in the American public's attitude towards the border crisis, as they are exhausted by it.

He thinks the Trump administration will heed the views of border communities and enable Customs and Border Protection officials to perform their duties.

"To address the issue, the federal government must allow Border Patrol and ICE agents to carry out their duties without restriction. They should be given the authority to handle the situation as they see fit."

The president-elect is taking a very serious stand on this issue, and he has the right people in the right place to handle it, as evidenced by the positive impact in his community.

"The return of normalcy is evident in the people in town and among the county personnel, as seen in the absence of sirens and helicopters, allowing for a more relaxed atmosphere."

In Yuma, a town of approximately 101,000 residents on the Arizona-Mexico border, Mayor Douglas Nicholls informed Planet Chronicle Digital that things are gradually returning to normal.

The Yuma sector experienced a significant increase in illegal immigration under the Biden administration, with over 310,000 crossing in 2022, which was three times the population of the city. Currently, the number of migrants entering the Yuma area has decreased to approximately 50 per day, which is fully manageable for Border Patrol.

Nicholls expressed hope that his city would receive the same level of support from the new administration as it did during Trump's first term.

"In the first term of Trump, the president invited me to the White House within two weeks. We had a conversation with the Homeland Security secretary in the Oval Office for about half an hour. After the meeting, I received resources and we implemented the 'Remain in Mexico' program, which significantly changed the nature of crossers along the border. Essentially, the situation I was concerned about was put to rest in about 3 to 5 months."

He stated that he eagerly expects the same level of engagement and plans to contact Yuma to ensure effective communication with the president and his staff.

"The Yuma community is a thriving, expanding area with strong partnerships both domestically and internationally. Our focus is on capitalizing on growth opportunities to enhance our community, provide more opportunities for residents, and foster a robust economic environment."

In Del Rio, Police Chief Frank Ramirez expressed optimism to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Although the current level of illegal immigration is not as severe as it has been previously, the Del Rio Police Department still faces challenges with human smuggling and cartel activity, which negatively impacts their resources and officers.

Officers in Del Rio are proud to serve as the "first line of defense," preventing criminal illegal immigrants from advancing deeper into the country.

He stated that acquiring someone who doesn't need to be in other states is a double win push, which is highly valued and enjoyed in their region.

Ramirez stated that his department faces challenges with recruitment and retention due to the difficulties of fighting illegal migrant crime in addition to normal crime, as Del Rio is a smaller city that cannot compete with larger city salaries. He emphasized the need for additional federal funding to compensate officers for their double duty.

""Immigration issues have added to our challenges because we must still manage the regular problems of the city, and we don't know who will come through or what they will do," he said."

The key thing we need is salary assistance through grants, which would help border towns be competitive with bigger agencies and retain officers.

"The town is fantastic, with wonderful individuals residing there, and I sincerely mean it when I say it. Therefore, ensuring the city's safety is highly personal and important to me."

We would greatly appreciate any assistance from any administration. Although I am unsure of the specific plans, we are optimistic and hope for additional support.