The governor of Arizona has signed an executive order which will deploy the national guard to the state’s border.
Katie Hobbs ordered troops to the border with Mexico, saying that Biden’s administration has “refused to deliver desperately needed resources to Arizona’s border”.
Writing on social media, Hobbs said: “I'm taking action to fix the migrant crisis where the federal government will not.”
In the statement which she shared to social media, she said: “Yet again, the federal government is refusing to do its job to secure our border and keep our communities safe.”
Hobbs said: ''m taking action to fix the migrant crisis where the federal government will not'
Getty
A chief patrol agent with the U.S. Border Patrol shared online that a record 61,000 migrants have tried to cross the border in Tuscon in November.
So far in December, there have been 37,000 migrant encounters.
Hobbs did not say how many members of the National Guard would be deployed, however said that they would be stationed along the southern border near the Lukeville port of entry and the San Miguel crossing.
The guards will support state and local agencies engaged in law enforcement, including prohibition of illegal drugs and human trafficking.
A record 61,000 migrants tried to cross the border in Tuscon in November
Getty
“With this Executive Order, I am taking action where the federal government won't,” Hobbs said in her press statement.
She also added that the Biden administration has also “failed to respond” to her request to compensate the state for border security spending.
Earlier this month, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it would close the Lukeville, Arizona port of entry.
The CBP said redirecting resources to tackle increased illegal smuggling of migrants elsewhere on the border.
Hobbs has slammed Biden's administration
PAThey said they were “surging all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants.”
Hobbs slammed the move, saying it was resulting in a “unmitigated humanitarian crisis in the area,” putting “Arizona’s safety and commerce at risk.”
She later asked Biden’s administration to mobilise 243 Arizona National Guard troops that were already stationed at Border Patrol’s Tucson centre.
Hobbs said the Biden administration had not responded to her request.
Guards will now be stationed at multiple locations along the border with Mexico, but extra manpower will be needed to help reopen the Lukeville point of entry.
