A total of 250 National Guard members are expected to travel to the border under the command of Brig. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck to "assist with medical operations," set up cameras, monitor data, and "analyze satellite imagery" for smuggling trends. The governor said his choice rose from inactivity at the White House.
Ducey has also talked about the crisis at the border. "The situation in our border communities is just as bad — if not worse — than the coverage we've been seeing," Ducey said in a statement. "It's become evidently clear that Arizona needs the National Guard, and the White House is aware of that. 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."
WATCH: BYRON DONALDS ENGAGES WITH HAMAS SUPPORTERS
The state will give $25 million to launch the initiative, and the order refers to Cochise, Yuma, Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties. Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot said the guard members "will provide much-needed support" in the area.
THE UNSEEN VICTIMS OF WAR: HOW RUSSIA'S INVASION LEFT THOUSANDS OF DISABLED UKRAINIANS IN PERIL
“The crisis at the border is serious and cannot be taken lightly,” he said in a statement. “The Arizona National Guard will provide much-needed support to our officers and safety officials, and will help ensure Yuma and other border communities are further protected from dangerous and illegal activity. By deploying National Guard assets, the Governor will allow me to deploy more first responders to mission critical tasks where we will work side by side with our federal partners to target, apprehend and prosecute transnational criminal organizations."
WATCH MAYOR ADAMS: "YOU DON'T TAKE OVER OUR BUILDINGS AND PUT ANOTHER FLAG UP"
Ducey's action follows a report from Customs and Border Protection that agents witnessed 172,000 attempted illegal crossings in March alone, the highest number in 15 years. The number dwarfed the 100,000 who attempted to do the same in February and the 78,000 who attempted to gain entry in January.
WATCH: DOJ SET TO INDICT TEXAS DEMOCRAT REP.HENRY CUELLER, WHAT'S AT STAKE, YOU ASK?
President Joe Biden has suffered bipartisan criticism for his handling of the crisis as those in top-level positions in his circle scramble to find different housing for a surge of unaccompanied migrant children. The administration has opened well over a dozen new buildings to handle the rush, but facilities across the country still grapple with accommodating the minors amid the pandemic.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
