Arizona Governor Allocates $17.2M to Border Security, Prioritizes Issue in Legislative Session

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced $17.2 million in funding directed to local law enforcement agencies in the state's border communities. The funds come from a task force known as Stopping Arizona's Fentanyl Epidemic (SAFE) and will reportedly be used to combat border-related crimes such as drug and human trafficking.

The money will be split among 27 local law enforcement agencies, mostly sheriff's offices and police departments along the border. The Yuma County Sheriff's Office will receive the largest allocation ($2.7 million), followed by the Cochise County Sheriff's Office ($1.9 million) and the Nogales Police Department ($1.7 million).

"I think that safety and security of our communities is a big priority for Arizonans," Hobbs told local news outlet KJZZ. "I think that came through loud and clear in the election, and I've been focused on border security even before the election."

Hobbs also shared her plans to request additional funding from the state Legislature to support other border security efforts, including Operation Secure, a program that deploys National Guard troops to border communities to aid in the interception of illicit drugs.

Arizona's legislative session started Monday, and in her state of the state address, the Democratic governor pledged to make border security a top priority.

"We must remain vigilant in protecting Arizonans from the cartels who seek to do us harm. The fentanyl crisis is one of the greatest threats to public safety in our state's history and requires a collaborative approach across state, local, and federal governments," she said.

In her speech to the GOP-majority legislature, the Democratic governor also stressed the importance of "working together." Hobbs has notably earned recognition for her use of vetoes. In 2024, she vetoed 73 legislative proposals from the Republican majority. In 2023, she vetoed 143. In an interview with local radio news KAWC, the governor said she was "optimistic" about bringing people together to "solve problems," but would not shy away from using her veto stamp.

Hobbs has aligned with certain aspects of President-elect Donald Trump's border security and immigration plans, expressing a willingness to collaborate with his administration. However, she has set clear limits, supporting the deportation of criminals while voicing concerns over mass deportation plans.

"I will not tolerate actions that harm Arizonans, that harm our communities and, quite honestly, divert resources from providing real security at our border," Hobbs told reporters in November.

This comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House. Trump has announced plans to issue over 100 executive orders on his first day in office, with political observers predicting a strong focus on immigration and border security policy changes.

Border czar Thomas Homan has warned states and local jurisdictions unwilling to cooperate with deportations about possible consequences, including the deployment of additional immigration agents and resources to their jurisdictions.

Democratic leaders along the border have been adopting more conservative stances when it comes to border security, a weak spot for the Democratic Party due to the record-breaking border encounters registered during the Biden administration.

In Arizona, voters increased the state's legislative GOP majorities in November's election. Notably, Arizonans who rejected Trump in 2020 by more than 10,000 votes gave the president-elect a 187,382-vote victory in 2024.