Palominas: John Ladd, who says he could ride before he could walk, is the fourth generation of a family that came to Arizona when the border between Mexico and the United States was just a line on a map.
Now he sees this border with thousands of people every day as a threat to his whole life.
“Now it controls how we manage the farm and it’s not the most efficient way,” he told AFP.
Ladd’s breeding ranch leads to the wall that separates Mexico and the United States, at least along that stretch.
As the migrants crept across the border, they crossed more than 16,000 hectares (6,500 acres) of what they said was a path of destruction – cutting down walls, cutting wild and broken water pipes.
“I’m losing 10,000 gallons of water a week because they changed the pipes to drink and then let them work.”
Border Patrol agents are looking for migrants crossing the country illegally, but many people think that these patrols do little to stop them.
Now the 75-year-old gardener is on trial to take matters into his own hands.
George Alan Kelly is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jibril Kuehn-Buitiman.
Kelly said he fired an AK-47 rifle into the air when he saw a group of migrants he felt threatened him, his wife and his property.
One of the nine rounds hit Cuen-Buitimea in the chest and ruptured a large artery.
Ladd said he did not know Kelly personally, but said he was concerned that the dismissal would set a dangerous precedent.
“He protects himself, his wife and his property. One of the main things in America is to protect your personal property.”
Ladd said that it is not only cattle farmers, but also small land owners who are “running on their land”.
“They can’t do anything to protect themselves. That’s everyone’s concern.”
Arizona’s wide open skies and vast plains have always been a threat to those who have consolidated their existence away from cities and towns.
Back when the West was wild and anonymous, there were criminals here, taking what they wanted by threat or force.
The 20th century brought a slightly more organized and larger and more organized state that could protect taxpayers.
But for those who earn a living among the crimson mountains, this protection seems not enough.
“We have very little threat,” said Kyle Best, who owns Marley Ranch in Amado, about 100 miles from Ladd Ranch.
At best, security and border controls appear to be lacking, as President Joe Biden looks set to challenge former President Donald Trump in the November election.
“I’m not against immigration. Families are all immigrating here, but it has to be done right.
Mike Gannuscio, president of the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association, agrees.
“We are an immigration state and I respect those who come here to work and I respect those who come here legally.”
“But you know, the limit is growing. It’s not fair.”
All the ranchers AFP spoke to said they would vote for Trump in November, the former figure of the lowest-profile White House on illegal immigration.
Ladd said that supporting one party over another is not a simple matter; recognize that politicians of all stripes have failed to tackle the complexities of immigration in recent decades.
Nor is it a matter of racism or xenophobia, Ladd said, adding that there is a human cost to a migration process dominated by smuggling gangs.
