Arizona Governor Signs Massive Border Security Bill

On Thursday, Republican Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill that will send hundreds of millions of dollars to strengthen security on his state’s border with Mexico, which comes as the illegal immigration crisis that originated under President Biden continues to worsen.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the legislation, coupled with “targeted investments from the fiscal year 2023 budget, dedicates a record $564 million to help to secure our border with a physical barrier, address critical public safety staffing shortages, and modernize the technology and public safety equipment to target criminal activity and keep our citizens safe.”

The legislation will direct $335 million specifically to “construct and maintain a border fence, purchase or install border security technologies, and to pay associated administrative costs.”

“Inaction by President Joe Biden has led to the worst border crisis in over 20 years,” Governor Ducey said. “I’ve been outspoken about the impact this crisis has on Arizonans, our communities and migrants. We’ve taken numerous steps to help resolve the chaos, including deploying the Arizona National Guard, signing legislation to address human smuggling and transporting migrants on a voluntary basis to Washington, D.C. Ultimately, however, securing our border is the responsibility of the federal government… With this investment, we are giving our law enforcement professionals another critical resource they need to successfully do their jobs. We are standing up for the rule of law, and we are cementing Arizona’s commitment to securing our state and our entire nation.”

State Rep. John Kavanagh, who sponsored the legislation, said, “The number of migrant encounters has skyrocketed at our border, overwhelming law enforcement and the Border Patrol. Thanks to the absent federal government, our border is in chaos and out of control. We need more support and physical barriers. This is a reasonable investment in Arizona’s safety and security. I’m grateful for Governor Ducey’s leadership to take action and secure the border.”

The legislation comes as illegal immigration has reached the highest level ever recorded with nearly 240,000 migrants being encountered by border officials in May.

“There were an unprecedented 239,416 migrant encounters at the Southern border in May, CBP reports. This is the highest monthly total in DHS history, beating the record that was set the month before in April w/ 234,088,” Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin wrote on Twitter.

BREAKING: There were an unprecedented 239,416 migrant encounters at the Southern border in May, CBP reports. This is the highest monthly total in DHS history, beating the record that was set the month before in April w/ 234,088.
Only 100,699 (42%) expelled via Title 42. @FoxNews

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 16, 2022