(central square) – Governor Katie Hobbs and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas traveled to the Nogales, Arizona border area to discuss border security and humanitarian efforts. This will be Hobbes’ third border visit in his 100 days in office.
The visit follows last week’s series of governor’s hearings on the implications of the potential repeal of Title 42. This policy was enacted during COVID-19 as a means of curbing border crossings. If it is repealed on May 11th, the number of immigrants entering the United States, legal or not, could reach record numbers.
“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,” Hobbes said. “Today’s conversations have been informative, and we stand ready to take what we hear and identify real solutions, hold the federal government accountable, and make Arizona safer for all residents.”
The visit comes at a time when US Customs and Border Protection continues to see record numbers of illegal border crossings. According to Customs and Border Protection arrest and escape data obtained by The Center Square, more than 1.6 million foreign nationals were arrested or jailed after entering the United States illegally from fiscal 2023 through February. Reported to have escaped bailiffs.
The governor and DHS secretary first met with the Arizona Border Counties Coalition. This is a representative board of elected supervisors working to improve economic opportunities and lifestyles in border regions. Pima County was represented by Superintendent Sharon Bronson and Administrator Jan Lecher. Yuma County Soup. Tony Reyes, Cochise County’s Sup. Ann English and Santa Cruz County’s Sup. Bruce Blacker also participates.
They visited the El Rio Community Health Center and then the Casa Aritas Migrant Shelter, a Catholic non-profit organization. The two organizations work closely together to provide health care and resources to immigrants. The conference also gave me the opportunity to meet El Rio’s new CEO, Clinton Kuntz.
Hobbes continued to meet with local Department of Public Safety employees and their families before attending border patrol meetings in the Tucson sector. During this time, Customs and Border Protection worked with the Intelligence and Analysis Service.
The trip to the border ended with both Hobbes and Majorcas touring the Mariposa port of entry, a key location for fentanyl smuggling. Two officials learned about new detection and screening methods CBP is implementing to further combat drug trafficking into the U.S.
“I think it’s a powerful example of what we can do together when we work together,” said Mayorcas. Collaboration is key to addressing complex challenges.”
