Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has taken action to bolster security along the state's border, signing Executive Order 2025-01 and initiating Operation Desert Guardian. As per the official announcement, this program orchestrates a joint task force comprising the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, aiming to intensify border security measures in Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.
With a combined focus, the newly formed operation by the Governor is committed to interrupting the activities of Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) by partnering with local law enforcement, sheriffs, and the federal government. Governor Hobbs expressed her pride in launching this initiative, stating, "I'm proud to launch Operation Desert Guardian to combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona's border," as reported by the Governor's Office. Eyebrows were raised by her administration, which has been in contact with both local sheriffs about the operation and the federal government, emphasizing a shared objective to shield communities from criminals and illicit drugs.
Specific targets outlined for Operation Desert Guardian include identifying and plugging security gaps along the 370-mile southern border, all while dismantling the supply chains and networks that fuel border-related crimes. Funding for the operation is sourced, as noted in the executive order, from the remaining $28 million in the State's Border Security Fund.
The Governor's Office highlighted Operation Desert Guardian as an extension of their pre-existing efforts, including Task Force SAFE, a collaboration between the Arizona National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection is designed for drug interdiction. Task Force SAFE has had considerable success, reportedly seizing over "19 million fentanyl pills, 6,598 pounds of other illicit drugs, and 237 weapons" in their efforts to prevent drugs and weapons trafficking. As Governor Hobbs said, the government has tried productively with the federal government on Task Force SAFE and partnered with local law enforcement to ensure that critical border security support is delivered.
Since the inception of her term, Governor Hobbs has made border security a staple of her administration, deploying substantial resources to local law enforcement and engaging both state and national agencies to enforce security measures. Among her actions, she has signed the bipartisan Ashley Dunn Act, requested additional federal funds to cover border security costs, and pledged to focus on violent offenders without targeting communities or enforcing immigration laws in sensitive areas such as churches, schools, or hospitals.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}