By Matthew Holloway |
Federal officials are planning new Border Patrol station projects in Three Points, Casa Grande, and Sonoita-Elgin. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is also preparing to build checkpoints in southern and southwestern Arizona using funding from the 2025 federal reconciliation law.
The three station proposals would accommodate a combined 1,000 agents, with each estimated to cost more than $100 million. CBP told the outlet the projects remain in early planning.
CBP said the projects would be funded through the 2025 reconciliation law commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 90002(a)(4) appropriated $5 billion nationally for expenses related to leasing, acquiring, constructing, designing, or improving CBP facilities and checkpoints.
At Three Points, a Sept. 11 forecast called for designing and building a station sized for 500 agents. The project was estimated to cost more than $100 million, with Sept. 25 listed as the projected solicitation date.
That forecast projected a contract award between October and December 2026, the first quarter of federal fiscal year 2027, and listed Sept. 1, 2029, as the anticipated contract completion date.
In an Aug. 21 letter to Pima County, CBP described a proposed site of approximately 87 acres about four miles east of the existing Three Points station and requested input for an environmental assessment.
In the letter, CBP specialist John Petrilla wrote, “The purpose of the new BPS is to accommodate the addition of new agents and personnel intended to enhance border security within the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Area of Responsibility, with an ultimate objective of increasing the probability of apprehension of those that have entered into the U.S. illegally.”
The Casa Grande forecast describes a station for 300 agents and personnel, along with support space and other infrastructure. Its estimated cost also exceeds $100 million, with the same anticipated award quarter and September 2029 completion date. The listing identifies Casa Grande as the project location without specifying a street address.
The Sonoita-Elgin proposal would accommodate 200 agents and also exceed $100 million. The projected capacities describe the size of the facilities, rather than a confirmed increase of 1,000 agents assigned to Arizona.
CBP’s letter also identifies an alternative site along State Routes 82 and 83. The preferred Sonoita-area alternative involves an undeveloped 40-acre parcel approximately four miles southeast of the Sonoita crossroads. County officials said the location appeared to be near Elgin Elementary School.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Fanning said that the county had requested details about site selection and the proposal’s economic, social, and environmental effects. CBP said it would seek community input as it evaluates potential locations.
CBP has not clarified whether the proposed facility would supplement or replace the existing station.
Separate federal forecasts outline two checkpoint projects, each estimated at $50 million to $100 million. The Nogales I-19 checkpoint proposal calls for a new checkpoint and supporting facilities at a preferred location adjacent to the existing checkpoint in Amado. The Wellton I-8 checkpoint proposal describes a new checkpoint and supporting facilities just west of the Dateland offramp in Yuma County. Both forecasts list anticipated contract completion on Sept. 30, 2029.
CBP said that the broader station and checkpoint investments are intended to replace aging facilities, strengthen operations, and support agents confronting human and drug smuggling. In a statement, the agency noted, “As potential locations are evaluated, CBP will seek input from local communities before projects move forward.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
