By The Opinion
Nov 18, 2024, 18:35 PM EST
In search of strengthening border security in southern Arizona, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs announced this Monday that she will retain National Guard soldiers to protect the border with Mexico from the drug cartels during the government of President-elect Donald Trump.
Hobbs said he will cooperate with the Republican administration, which takes office next January, to secure the border and receive the necessary resources to do so.
“This crisis is happening right now and requires immediate action,” he said.
It is not yet determined when these troops will arrive, or the number of guards that will be mobilized by the state. A week ago, the governor had made this request to President Biden’s administration, to mobilize the border patrol from Tucson to the sector that included the Lukeville, Arizona border crossing; where the popular pass that Americans usually take to vacation in the city of Puerto Peñasco is located.
Hobbs emphasized the success of the Security Task Force established last year, which is made up of several law enforcement agencies at the state and federal level that have the sole objective of combating drug trafficking.
The governor indicated that this special force has been responsible for the seizure of 6 million fentanyl pills and 1,400 pounds of heroin and cocaine, which she assures is a hard blow for the cartels.
“Using the National Guard helps increase border surveillance and provides essential assistance to other agencies,” Hobbs said.
Members of the National Guard do not arrest or question undocumented immigrants, but instead help detect drug shipments at ports of entry.
“Just as we worked with the current administration, we will work with the next if it means receiving the resources and more personnel to increase security at our border,” Hobbs said.
However, they clarified that they do not support any measure that harms communities or the lives of Arizona citizens.
He refused to speculate on the possible mass deportations announced by Trump, who this Monday confirmed that he will undertake them with the help of the Armed Forces and invoking a figure known as a national emergency.
*With information from EFE.
Keep reading:
- A Georgia man faked his death to avoid rape charges and was arrested for a violation
- Lawyer accused of smuggling drug documents to Texas jail inmates
- Georgia prison inmate beat cellmate to death for racial reasons