Arizona to send National Guard to US-Mexico border amid Biden border crisis

On Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed an executive order to deploy the state's National Guard to back up law enforcement along its southern border with Mexico. 

In a press release, Hobbs said, "Yet again, the federal government is refusing to do its job to secure our border and keep our communities safe." She added, "With this Executive Order, I am taking action where the federal government won’t." 

"But we can’t stand alone, Arizona needs resources and manpower to reopen the Lukeville crossing, manage the flow of migrants, and maintain a secure, orderly, and humane border." Hobbs continued, "Despite continued requests for assistance, the Biden administration has refused to deliver desperately needed resources to Arizona’s border."

National Guard leaders told Fox 10 there were meetings all day Friday in preparation for the intiative. Captain Erin Hannigan said, "Specifically, we will be assisting the Department of Public Safety" noting that they are not law enforcement, but will be there in a support capacity. 

"There’s a lot that goes on with law enforcement," she noted. "There’s a lot of tasks that they need to complete in an administrative role, and stepping into do that for them so that they can be on the streets, that they can be doing that active role is really what we are trying to do."

Last month, the US Border Patrol Tuscon Sector saw a flood of illegal immigrants crossing into the US, with more than 700 people in a single day. This led Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin to "pause" updates from the sector's social media accounts.

"In light of the ongoing migration surge, all Tucson Sector Border Patrol social media accounts will be paused until further notice. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this challenging time. Honor First," Modlin said on X.

The move to mobilize the National Guard comes as Democrat leaders across the country join Republicans in their frustration at the way the Biden administration has handled the crisis at the US-Mexico border. 

Last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams told his residents that "help is not on the way" after he met with Joe Biden to ask for help from the federal government to deal with the illegal immigrant crisis in his city.