Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border crisis.
She demanded compensation for the federal government’s failure to enforce immigration laws and secure the border, citing the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry and its impact on Arizona.
Hobbs urged President Biden to reassign National Guard members to assist in reopening the port and reimburse the costs incurred by federal border inaction.
NEW: We spoke live on the air with a handful of men from around the world who had crossed into Lukeville, AZ illegally & were waiting for Border Patrol processing. We asked where they’re from, why they came, & where they’re going? We heard New York, CA, Michigan, Philly, etc. pic.twitter.com/droaM86cMY
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) December 8, 2023
“Today, I sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to reassign National Guard members to assist in its reopening, as well as reimburse the $512,529,333 federal border inaction has cost us,” wrote Hobbs on X.
“The federal government must act immediately to solve the unmitigated crisis caused by the Lukeville Port of Entry closure,” she continued.
“Today, I sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to reassign National Guard members to assist in its reopening, as well as reimburse the $512,529,333 federal border inaction has cost us,” explained the governor.
Hobbs reportedly demanded that Biden “immediately” move 243 National Guard soldiers from the Tucson region to the Lukeville Port of Entry.
“For far too long, Arizona has continued to bear the burden of federal inaction in managing our southern border,” lamented Hobbs.
“The recent decision to close the Lukeville Port of Entry has led to an unmitigated humanitarian crisis in the area and has put Arizona’s safety and commerce at risk,” she continued.
“Here on the border to assess the situation on the ground first hand & to work with Border Patrol to get them the resources they need,” captioned Hobbs on a video she recorded during a visit to the border.
“Now is the time for action — not partisan politics,” demanded the border state Democrat.
“I’m here at the Lakeville port of entry to assess the situation on the ground firsthand and get Customs and Border Patrol the resources they need to reopen our port of entry,” said Hobbs in the video.
“Your security is a top priority, and as long as I’m governor, I’ll do whatever I can to end the chaos at the border. I’m not afraid to stand up to politicians on either side who aren’t doing what’s in the best interests of Arizona, and I’m taking action.,” she continued.
“This week. I sent a letter to President Biden, demanding the resources and manpower to open this port of entry, and we announced Operation SECURE to step up state support for local law enforcement. But Arizona can’t do this alone, nor should we have to. We’re asking the federal government to reimburse us for the cost to Arizonans. For far too long, Arizona has borne the brunt of federal inaction on our southern border, and I’m tired of it. Now is not the time for partisan politics. It’s time for action,” charged Hobbs.
Additionally, Fox News reported record-high apprehensions of illegal immigrants in the Tucson sector.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin reported “Border Patrol’s Tucson, AZ sector reports making a jaw dropping 18,900 apprehensions of illegal immigrants in the last week alone. It’s the highest weekly total ever recorded for the sector, breaking the prior record of 17,500 which was set the prior week. Just…wow.”
“Most of the illegal crossings were in Lukeville, where we were reporting on border wall breaches & mass incursions all week. Important to note, the Tucson sector is just one of nine Border Patrol sectors along the southern border,” added Melugin.
However, questions arose about the absence of illegal migration during Hobbs’ border visit, prompting speculation about intentional government involvement in border chaos.
The Biden administration has informed Congress about the high number of illegal immigrants being let into the U.S. each day and the significant quantity of “gotaways” at the border.
