Governor Hobbs met with the Arizona Border Counties Coalition, Border Patrol Agents, Community Health Centers, and shelters that house immigrants

PHOENIX — On Tuesday, Gov. Hobbs and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas traveled to the southern Arizona border in Nogales to meet with border agents, humanitarian organizations, and tour the port of entry in Mariposa. This is the governor’s third visit to the border in the first three months of her administration and highlights how strongly she prioritizes our borders.

Last week, the governor’s office held a listening session for border community advocates when Title 42 was suspended to address community challenges, needs, and her concerns following the imminent influx of asylum-seeking migrants. I learned about how the office can provide support. May 11th.

“My administration is actively working on a myriad of issues related to the southern border and would like to hear from local organizations on how the government can better support their coordination and cooperation efforts,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “My administration is listening not only to local law enforcement agencies in affected communities, but also to local elected officials, health care providers and humanitarian aid providers. The conversations have been informative, and we are ready to take what we hear and identify real solutions, hold the federal government accountable, and make Arizona safer for all residents.”

“I think it’s a powerful example of what we can do together when we work together,” said Secretary of State Mayorcas at the final press conference of the day. We can deliver results, and collaboration is key to addressing the most complex challenges.”

See below for more information on the governor’s trip.

Arizona Border County Association Conference

The Arizona Border County Coalition addresses economic development opportunities in southern Arizona, with a particular focus on policies and issues that affect the quality of life and economy along the border. The governor heard updates from:

• Pima County – Sip. Sharon Bronson, Jan Lesher, County Administrator

• Yuma County – Sip.Tony Reyes

• Cochise County – Sip.Ann English

• Santa Cruz County – Sip.Bruce Blacker

Visit to the Embrace Memorial

The Governor stopped by the Embrace Memorial, which commemorates the Jan. 8, 2011 shooting in Tucson, Arizona, in which 19 people were killed, six of whom were killed. Congressman Gabriel Giffords was targeted in the attack and was seriously injured. The memorial he will open in 2021 and is located in Presidio Park on the grounds of the historic Pima County Courthouse.

El Rio Community Health Center Meeting

El Rio Community Health Center is an influential health service provider in the region. El Rio has a regional border health program and has a relationship with Casa Aritas, providing health care and resources for migrants in transition. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a better understanding of two of his programs related to border health and to conduct an introductory meeting with Mr. Clinton Kuntz, the CEO who is relatively new to the organization.

DPS Meet and Greet Event

The governor stopped by a meeting for DPS employees and their families to get to know police officers and police assistants.

Tucson Area Border Patrol Briefing

This is the governor’s confirmation of how Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis will work together in Arizona to collect, analyze, and share relevant information related to the Southwest Border, a key component of border security. It was an opportunity.

Casa Aritas Tour and Transportation Roundtable

Casa Aritas is part of the Catholic Community Service Organization and one of the city’s leading immigration shelters. They are part of a statewide coordinated network that works particularly closely with local border health. This roundtable was an opportunity to hear about best practices the Governor has learned and how other communities can engage in this type of cooperation between DHS, state and local governments.

Mariposa Harbor Inbound Tour

The Secretary and the Governor share a common interest in addressing how drugs and fentanyl are moving through ports of entry.This was an opportunity to learn about the detection technology and screening methods CBP uses at the border and how DHS is making great strides in fighting drug trafficking into the United States.