Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) announced a new executive order Friday to address the continuing “migrant crisis” at the southern border. The governor’s executive order will deploy Arizona’s National Guard to the border to help assist federal officials at the border between the United States and Mexico.
Announcing the new executive order on Friday, Hobbs explained, “Yet again, the federal government is refusing to do its job to secure our border and keep our communities safe. With this Executive Order, I am taking action where the federal government won’t.”
Sharing photos of her executive order on X, formerly Twitter, Hobbs explained that her executive order was the “next step” in Arizona’s “Operation SECURE.” Citing her latest executive order, the Arizona governor claimed that she is “taking action to fix the migrant crisis where the federal government will not.”
Breaking ranks with her own party, Hobbs blasted the Biden administration for refusing to “deliver desperately needed resources” to the border between Arizona and Mexico despite “continued requests for assistance” from the federal government.
“We can’t stand alone,” Hobbs added. “Arizona needs resources and manpower to reopen the Lukeville crossing, manage the flow of migrants, and maintain a secure, orderly and humane border.”
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According to Military.com, despite the governor’s executive order activating Arizona’s National Guard to help manage the “migrant crisis,” it is not yet clear how many troops will be mobilized by the order or when the troops will arrive at the southern border.
The governor’s office explained that the state’s National Guard will be activated at “multiple locations” on the southern border, including the San Miguel crossing and the Lukeville Port of Entry. The National Guard members are expected to assist with law enforcement operations, such as the seizure of illegal drugs at the border and efforts to address human trafficking.
According to Military.com, The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs confirmed Friday that the National Guard was activating members in compliance with the governor’s order.
The governor’s office also noted that the Biden administration had not yet provided a response to Hobbs’s request that the federal government reimburse Arizona for the state’s increased border security spending.
