Governor Doug Ducey has announced the state, will, in fact, set aside up to $25 million to deploy National Guard troops to the southern border to help support local law enforcement. He has also declared a state of emergency in various counties. 250 guardsmen will be sending by the state to border communities to help with medical operations at detention centers. Border cameras will be installing and maintained. Moreover, data will be collecting from public safety cameras. Thus they will analyze trends in known smuggling corridors. This is according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Doug Ducey Speaks out about the Situation with the Border Communities

“It’s bad, the situation, in our border communities, maybe worse. In fact, than the coverage we have been seeing,” the governor wrote in a statement. “Moreover, it is becoming very clear that Arizona needs the National Guard. Thus, the White House is aware of that. There has been no action from this administration to this day. In fact, it doesn’t look like they will act and with any urgency anytime soon. We will if this administration isn’t going to do anything.”

Not Everyone is on Board With Governor’s Evaluation of the Chaotic Border Situation

Unfortunately, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Arizona) and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero both vehemently disagreed with Ducey’s assessment.

“I think it’s a disgrace that Governor Ducey wants to continue to militarize our borderlines,” Grijalva said. “Using guns and troops to meet asylum-seeking children and families is something we need to stop. Moreover, instead, direct all resources that are needing at the board to the localities and nongovernmental organizations to properly assist asylum seekers. I see the deployment of this troop as a purely political maneuver and does nothing to confront the issues at hand.”

Helping to house and feel asylum seekers, Romero said the city has been working with local non-governmental organizations.

“I think Governor Ducey is playing politics with the National Guard and it’s disappointing. He is wasting Arizona taxpayer dollars in the process,” Romero said.

“I think if Governor was sincerely committed to helping, he would be aiding the efforts of local governments and the NGOs to provide humanitarian care which is critical. That is what we are focusing on thorough our efforts to house asylum seeks at the local hotels. It is unfortunate that the Governor is more worried about increasing the prominence of national political profile than actually trying to work to solve this urgent issue.