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Cochise County approves Marine Corps staging agreement after residents voice concern
Summary
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted May 19 to approve an intergovernmental agreement allowing the U.S. Marine Corps to stage trucks and construction equipment on fenced county property near Kings Highway. Local organizers and clergy urged caution, saying the presence risks community fear and binational relations; county staff said vehicles will support construction work and are not armed.
On May 19, 2026, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) permitting the U.S. Marine Corps to stage trucks and construction equipment on county property north of the Border Patrol station on Kings Highway.
Mark Adams of Frontera Cristo told the board he opposed the measure and urged supervisors not to "enable federal overreach" into local communities. "Having the military posted on our border . . . is something that doesn't enhance our binational relationship," Adams said, adding that the troop presence had created fear among residents on the Mexican side and disrupted local economic ties.
Public Works Director Jason Fazio told supervisors the IGA is a limited arrangement to let vehicles and equipment stage on county land while construction work is under way. "From what I understand, they're just helping with construction work," Fazio said. He said the county asked the Marines for photos of the vehicles and that the images showed cargo trucks and generators rather than armed vehicles. "If there's any oil spills or anything like that, it would put them on check to clean that, mitigate anything that gets spilled," he added.
Supervisors asked staff to follow up and ensure the staging does not include weapons or activities beyond construction support. One supervisor said staff would provide more information at the next meeting to address residents' concerns. The board then voted to approve the IGA; the motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.
The item drew several written and nonspeaking protests recorded on the agenda; staff and supervisors noted that the staging site is roughly six miles from the Douglas port of entry and described the arrangement as temporary and for construction logistics. The county did not impose any fee under the IGA, and staff said the agreement sets expectations for cleanup and a departure date.
The board's approval means the Marine Corps may use the identified, fenced county property for staging while construction at the border site continues. Supervisors and staff said they will monitor the arrangement and report back to the board if conditions change.
The board continued with its agenda after the vote.
