The election results in Arizona reflect a significant shift in voter sentiment and could impact future electoral strategies for both major parties.
Trump's victory has immediate implications for immigration patterns, with many migrants adjusting their plans based on his anticipated policies.
The dynamics of organized crime related to human trafficking are likely to intensify as stricter immigration policies are enacted.
The Republican Party may leverage Trump's Arizona win to strengthen their position in future elections.
Increased migrant crossings through dangerous routes such as the Darien Gap may lead to more tragic incidents and humanitarian crises.
Trump's immigration policies could result in a surge in organized crime activities related to human smuggling.
Donald Trump Wins Arizona in 2024 Presidential Election
In a significant victory for the Republican Party, Donald Trump has secured Arizona in the 2024 presidential election, adding eleven electors to his total, now standing at 312. This surpasses Joe Biden's total of 306 in the 2020 election and Trump's own score of 304 in 2016. With all states reporting their results, the next steps involve state-level certification until December 11, followed by the electors' vote on December 17, and a final certification by Congress on January 6.
Historically, Arizona has been a battleground state, leaning towards Republican candidates from 1952 to 2016, with the exception of Bill Clinton's re-election in 1996. Joe Biden's narrow victory in 2020 was notable, as he won by less than 10,500 votes, largely due to high turnout among Hispanic and Native American voters. The state also witnessed a competitive Senate race between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Trump loyalist Kari Lake, with Gallego currently favored to win.
Migrants Accelerate Journey to the US Following Trump's Victory
The news of Trump's election victory has prompted many migrants to expedite their journeys towards the United States. Jesus Chavez, a Venezuelan pastry chef, shared that he and his companions decided to leave Venezuela after the disputed election results in July, which saw President Nicolas Maduro declared the winner despite evidence to the contrary. Chavez expressed a sense of urgency to reach the U.S. before January, in light of Trump's plans to end the CBP One program, an online portal for migrants to apply for asylum.
The Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle route, has been a critical passage for many migrants, with Venezuelans making up a significant portion of those crossing. As of this year, Panama has recorded nearly 289,000 migrant arrivals through the Darien, a 38% decrease from last year, with 69% being Venezuelans. Experts warn that Trump's stringent immigration policies may lead to an increase in reliance on smugglers, benefiting organized crime groups that profit from human trafficking.
