Governor orders Arizona National Guard to the border
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs issued an executive order on Friday to deploy the state’s National Guard to the border with Mexico. This move comes in response to an influx of migrants that has overwhelmed federal officials.
Governor Hobbs, a Democrat, stated that she took this action because the federal government is “refusing to do its job to secure our border and keep our communities safe.” She also criticized the Biden administration for not responding to her request for reimbursements for border security spending.
The National Guard troops are intended to aid federal officers in reopening the border crossing that was indefinitely closed on December 4 in Lukeville, Arizona. Customs and Border Protection has stated that shutting down the official crossing was necessary to allow personnel to assist Border Patrol agents in managing the hundreds of migrants illegally entering the area daily.
The governor’s order will station National Guard members at multiple locations along the southern border, including around Lukeville, to support state and local agencies in law enforcement activities such as interdiction of illegal drugs and human trafficking. However, the Tohono O’odham Nation, another popular crossing location for migrants, will reportedly not have National Guard presence, according to tribal officials.
The decision to deploy the National Guard has sparked mixed reactions, with U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva expressing disagreement with the executive order. Grijalva emphasized the need for real solutions to address the border crisis, while also acknowledging Governor Hobbs’ rejection of what he described as “brutal and cruel tactics” used by some other governors during this time.
As of now, it remains unclear when the troops will arrive at the border and the exact number that will be mobilized. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, National Guard confirmed that members of the National Guard were being activated on Friday afternoon.