Arizona Governor Orders National Guard to Help Manage Influx of Migrants at the Border

In response to the federal government's failure to secure the border and protect local communities, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has issued an executive order mobilizing the state's National Guard to the border with Mexico. The decision comes after Hobbs requested assistance from President Joe Biden's administration a week ago, asking them to mobilize 243 Arizona National Guard troops already in the Border Patrol's Tucson sector.

The governor's main objective is to reopen the border crossing at Lukeville, Arizona, which has been closed since December 4th due to the overwhelming number of migrants illegally crossing the area daily. The closure was necessary in order to redirect personnel stationed there to assist Border Patrol agents in managing the situation. The Lukeville crossing serves as a popular route for Arizonans traveling to the Mexican resort of Puerto Pe?±asco, also known as Rocky Point, located about 62 miles south of the border on the northern shores of the Sea of Cortez.

While the exact number and arrival date of the troops are still uncertain, Hobbs intends to station National Guard members at multiple locations along the southern border, including around Lukeville. Their primary role will be to support state and local law enforcement agencies, particularly in interdicting illegal drugs and human trafficking.

However, the Tohono O'odham Nation, which is experiencing a high volume of migrant arrivals at the San Miguel crossing, will not have National Guard troops stationed on tribal land. Verlon Jose, chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation, stated that the governor's office has agreed to this arrangement, emphasizing the ongoing communication between them in addressing the border crisis.

Governor Hobbs also expressed her disappointment with the lack of response from the Biden administration regarding her request for the U.S. government to reimburse Arizona for its border security spending. Customs and Border Protection officials did not provide an immediate response to the governor's decision to deploy the National Guard.

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, National Guard confirmed on Friday afternoon that members were being activated. Major Gen. Kerry L. Muehlenbeck, who oversees the Arizona National Guard, highlighted their previous 30-month active-duty mission supporting law enforcement agencies in southern Arizona. The earlier mission involved providing logistics, administrative, cyber, and medical support.

However, not all local representatives agree with Governor Hobbs' executive order. US Rep. Ra??l M. Grijalva, who represents southern Arizona, expressed his disagreement but also appreciated that Hobbs rejected the tactics of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who have used the migrant crisis as a political tool rather than seeking real solutions.

As the situation at the border continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the deployment of the Arizona National Guard will impact border security efforts and the overall management of the influx of migrants.