AZ Governor Sends National Guard to Border
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has issued an executive order to deploy National Guard troops to the state's southern border, citing the Biden administration's mishandling of the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.
In a statement Friday, Governor Hobbs condemned the federal government's lack of support for Arizona's border security, stating that they have "refused" to provide the resources and manpower needed to manage the influx of migrants. This decision comes after the closure of a port of entry in Arizona earlier this month, which has led to what Hobbs describes as an "unmitigated humanitarian crisis" and a threat to the safety and commerce of Arizona.
The governor expressed her frustration with the Biden administration's lack of action, despite repeated requests for assistance. She stated that the state cannot stand alone in dealing with this crisis and needs support to manage the flow of migrants and maintain a secure and orderly border.
Hobbs' executive order leaves the decision on how many National Guard troops to deploy to the border to Arizona's chief National Guard official, Adjutant General Kerry Muehlenbeck, and the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. These troops will assist local law enforcement with enforcement activities, including tracking down fentanyl and human traffickers.
“Particularly notable as she’s a Democrat!” — Fox News’ Peter Doocy on Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, announcing via an executive order that she is deploying the AZ National Guard to the AZ border. She says “the federal government is refusing to do its job to secure our border.” pic.twitter.com/gKf8n9fcjC
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) December 16, 2023
The Tucson sector of Arizona's border has become one of the busiest sections, with illegal immigrant encounters more than doubling in October compared to last year. According to CBP, agents encountered over 55,000 migrants in October 2021, compared to around 23,000 in October 2020.
Hobbs joins a growing list of governors, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who have taken action to curb the record number of illegal border crossings since President Joe Biden took office. In October, Governor Abbott announced that Texas was building its own border wall, making it "the first and only state in U.S. history to do so." In a joint letter, 25 Republican governors have also demanded that President Biden take more action to address the porous southern border, as illegal immigrants continue to enter the country in alarming numbers.
Hobbs is not alone in her criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has also spoken out, citing the significant financial burden that illegal immigration places on cities and states. Both Hobbs and Adams are Democrats, indicating that this issue goes beyond political party lines.
In the face of the ongoing crisis at the southern border, Governor Hobbs' executive order is an important step towards addressing the situation in Arizona. With the National Guard's assistance, local law enforcement will be better equipped to deal with the influx of migrants and criminal activity, easing the burden on the state and ensuring the safety of its residents.