As a former law enforcement officer from Southern Arizona, I have seen firsthand the direct impact of border policy failures on communities and law enforcement.
Having worked in the Tucson community for nearly 20 years, the growing number of aliens entering the United States illegally or legally and seeking asylum has increased our reliance on local law enforcement and community services. I’ve seen it rise. As Sergeant, my officers routinely responded to calls of thefts, assaults, and disturbances at non-governmental organizations that temporarily housed foreigners. We have also received a welfare call about an individual processed by Border Patrol who was released into a homeless community after receiving an Immigration Court citation letter. These time-consuming calls added to an already overworked and understaffed department.
Lack of federal resources and policy changes by the Biden administration have pulled Border Patrol agents away from the perimeter of defense that normally blocks cartel operatives and smugglers, and instead deal with foreigners. As a result, local police agencies are involved in more drug enforcement cases in addition to their usual number of cases.
In December, a deputy at the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office stopped a driver for a civil traffic violation while enforcing a traffic stop. Unknown to the lieutenant, the driver was smuggling fentanyl with a foreigner, both of whom entered Arizona illegally through the southern border. I was involved in an argument that ended up being. A passing car nearly hit the deputy, who beat the suspect to death. An investigation is currently underway and the case should be brought to the county attorney’s office to expose the agent’s misconduct.
During the months-long investigation, the lieutenant will continue to perform administrative duties until the investigation is closed and he has recovered. A lot of man-hours that could be spent on local community issues are lost. This incident would not have happened if the smugglers had been stopped at the border.
Arizona law enforcement officials see even more potential as new governor Katie Hobbs announces plans to eliminate state funding and staff resources devoted to fighting criminal networks at the border. I am facing a challenge. In 2015, former Governor Doug Ducey established the Border Strike Force, a force within the Ministry of Public Security, to stop criminal activity at the border. Along with additional personnel, the state provided $12 million annually for this effort.
The creation of this unit was not just lip service. Providing meaningful resources and producing results for overwhelmed law enforcement agencies. Since 2015, 13,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 900 pounds of fentanyl and 1,000 firearms have been seized by border agents. Their efforts helped save Arizona’s life.
Governor Ducey took this step because Arizona Border Patrol agents recognize that law enforcement needs more cooperation to target cross-border criminal gangs, and it is because of his help. because I asked for
Given the lack of border leadership coming out of Washington, DC, we cannot afford to lose assets that help reduce drug trafficking and criminal activity across the southern border.
Stopping funding for law enforcement efforts and inaction in Washington DC is welcomed by the operatives and criminals of Mexico’s drug-terrorist cartel. Their success depends on thinning the resources of local law enforcement and emergency personnel so they can expand their illegal smuggling operations.
These are highly dangerous cartels with military-grade weapons, ammunition and equipment, which is why Texas Governor Greg Abbott has designated them foreign terrorist organizations. They take advantage of the chaos and harm Arizona residents and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect them.
The time to sit in the conference room and talk about the problem is over. The time for action is now, and there are simple, short-term solutions you can implement today. 2) Continue to provide state and federal funding to local police and sheriff departments and Border Patrol to help Border Patrol stop crime.
Longer term, Congress must prioritize border security first. With the southern border of the United States secured, Congress can work on common-sense immigration reform.
