LUKEVILLE, Ariz. (KGUN) — The closed sign that sat at the Lukeville Port of Entry for four weeks was removed Thursday morning and cars immediately started driving through.
“I know businesses in Rocky Point have been struggling with this border closed because drivers haven’t been able to take the other routes," one driver said on his way through the port.
One of those businesses is the Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort.
The manager Hector Vazquez del M says he and other business owners have taken a huge financial hit.
Many restaurants and bars simply shut their doors while waiting for the tourists to return.
He and others though are keeping a positive attitude with the good news.
“I will be very positive. From every crisis we will learn something, and hopefully a lot of people have learned the closest beach from Phoenix and Tucson is Rocky Point," Vazquez del M said.
But as legal travel finally resumed, illegal cross-border travel continues like it has for the last few months.
“Since yesterday I am here," an African migrant said on Wednesday morning.
Migrants like Jose Gutierrez Garcia gather around fires to keep warm with temperatures in the thirties.
“We are cold, we are not used to this kind of cold. But we will adapt and overcome. We thank God we are in America," Garcia said.
The feeling of completing their journey outweighed the tough conditions.
“I feel good, I am happy. Happy to be with my friends too," Garcia said.
Garcia and his friends are finally apprehended by Border Patrol after waiting all night.
They get loaded into a van to be transported and processed, a never-ending cycle for Border Patrol.
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Adam Klepp is a reporter for KGUN 9. At his previous station in Yuma, Adam focused on a range of local issues including the border, water rights and healthcare. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and attended both Loyola University Chicago and Syracuse University. Share your story ideas and important issues with Adam by emailing adam.klepp@kgun9.com or by connecting on Twitter.