Arizona’s Democrat Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema referred to the immigration surge as a crisis, challenging the Biden administration to reimburse the state’s deployment of National Guard members at the southern border.
“There is a crisis at the southern border,” Kelly and Sinema said in a statement.
“As such, we request you reimburse the state of Arizona for the deployment the Governor announced yesterday to support border security and continue to increase DHS personnel who can further assist with the processing of migrants, securing the border, and executing important security missions,” the senators added.
Democrats Call Immigration a Crisis
The note of a “crisis” stood out, as Democrats have avoided calling the immigration surge a crisis in communications to media.
The two senators had earlier sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to request additional resources to assist on the border.
“While additional resources were passed in the American Rescue Plan provided by FEMA and DHS, additional personnel are needed at the border to ensure our communities are protected, and migrants are treated fairly and humanely,” they wrote.
Not Waiting for Washington
Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) announced Tuesday he intends to send 250 additional National Guard members to the Arizona southern border with Mexico.
The governor also issued a declaration of emergency over immigration. The state plans to provide up to $25 million in funding for the operation.
“The situation in our border communities is just as bad—if not worse—than the coverage we’ve been seeing,” the governor stated. “It’s become evidently clear that Arizona needs the National Guard, and the White House is aware of that.”
Ducey added, “Yet, to this day, there has been no action from this administration, and it doesn’t look like they are going to act any time soon. If this administration isn’t going to do anything, then we will.”
Arizona Brigadier General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck stated, “Our guard members will tackle a wide range of tasks including medical operations, camera maintenance and monitoring, data analysis, and logistics and administrative support to local sheriffs. I am proud of the men and women of the Arizona National Guard for their commitment to serving and protecting our state.”
The state is clearly not waiting for Washington to send help. Instead, even Arizona’s Democrat Senators are seeking financial assistance from the Biden administration to respond to the problems created by changed immigration policies.
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