Arizona Governor Announces Plan to Prepare for Expected Surge of Migrants

Governor Katie Hobbs outlines five-point plan to address border security, humanitarian needs, and public safety

PHOENIX, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs today announced Arizona’s five-point preparedness approach to address the anticipated surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border following the expiration of Title 42, a pandemic-era health policy that has been used to expel migrants at the southern border.

The five-point plan is based on the following principles:

• Public safety: The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) will work closely with local law enforcement agencies to maintain public safety and security in Arizona communities.
• Humanitarian support: The state will coordinate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide humanitarian support to migrants, including food, water, and shelter.
• Transportation: The state will work with NGOs and the federal government to provide transportation for migrants who are released from federal custody.
• Information sharing: The state will establish a joint information command (JIC) to share information and coordinate responses between state and federal agencies, NGOs, and local governments.
• Communication: The state will communicate regularly with the public about the situation at the border.

“The Biden administration has created a lot of uncertainty for border-state governors by leaving us to develop our own plans to cope with the expiration of Title 42,” Governor Hobbs said. “We are taking the lead in Arizona to prepare for the expected surge of migrants and to ensure that we are able to protect our communities and provide humanitarian support to those in need.”

The governor’s plan includes the following specific actions:

• Deploying DPS troopers to border communities: DPS will deploy troopers to border communities to assist local law enforcement agencies with public safety and border security.
• Providing funding for NGOs: The state will provide funding to NGOs that are providing humanitarian support to migrants.
• Working with the federal government to secure additional resources: The state will work with the federal government to secure additional resources, including funding and personnel, to help with the surge of migrants.

Governor Hobbs also announced that she is requesting a federal disaster declaration for Arizona in order to access additional resources to address the surge of migrants.

“We are facing a serious challenge at our border, and we need the federal government to step up and provide the resources we need to address this crisis,” Governor Hobbs said. “I am requesting a federal disaster declaration for Arizona so that we can access the resources we need to protect our communities and provide humanitarian support to those in need.”