Ducey wants to send troops to Arizona’s southern border
Governor requests federal funding to pay for National Guard soldiers
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Doug Ducey, (R-Ariz.) wants to deploy the National Guard to Arizona's southern border to help with the increasing influx of undocumented immigrants.
Gov. Ducey expressed his desires in a tweet sent shortly after a phone conversations with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He writes:
We need to resolve the issues at the border before they get even worse, and Arizona is ready to partner with the federal government to strengthen our borders and improve our immigration system. I spoke to @SecMayorkas this morning about our concerns and solutions. 1/ pic.twitter.com/wQex6StCDv
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 26, 2021
In Arizona, we’ve previously deployed the National Guard to the border to support law enforcement. I’ve requested federal reimbursement for deployment, so we can do it again and get this crisis under control. 3/3
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 26, 2021
It's still unclear how many troops the governor wants to send to the border. His office isn't releasing any details on where soldiers may be deployed. However, a spokesperson for Ducey told News 11's Crystal Jimenez “we want them deployed where they’re needed."
The governor's request comes at a time when U.S. Border Patrol is reporting a spike in migrant apprehensions. It's the largest seen in 20-years.
Border Patrol confirms it will erect soft-sided structures in Yuma and Tucson to temporarily house asylum seekers. However, agents have released few details on those plans.
Related: New facilities to open in Arizona to process migrant children and families
Gov. Ducey last sent the National Guard to the border in 2018 to help deal with a similar surge in asylum seekers.
