Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas has taken decisive action this week, directing the Arkansas National Guard to deploy soldiers to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard amidst the escalating illegal immigration crisis. In a press release from Sanders’ office, it was announced that approximately 40 Guardsmen would be sent to aid in securing the border.
Sanders minced no words in her criticism of President Biden’s handling of the situation, attributing the crisis to his policies. She stated, “President Biden opened our southern border to an invasion of illegal immigrants, drugs, and human trafficking and is now criticizing Texas for stepping up where his administration has failed.” This move reflects Sanders’ commitment to upholding border security and ensuring the safety of her state’s residents.
Having witnessed firsthand the repercussions of the Biden administration’s border policies, Sanders expressed confidence in the Arkansas National Guard’s ability to supplement Texas’ efforts in securing the border. Her decision underscores the importance of state-level initiatives in addressing the inadequacies of federal border enforcement measures.
Sanders joins a growing chorus of Republican governors taking proactive steps to address the border crisis. Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, for instance, recently announced a similar deployment of soldiers to the southern border, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Noem characterized the border as a “warzone” and outlined the primary mission of the SD-Guard to include the construction of a wall to stem the flow of illegal immigration, drug cartels, and human trafficking.
Under President Biden’s leadership, illegal border crossings have surged, leading to concerns about public safety and national security. Incidents such as the tragic death of 22-year-old student Laken Riley and the apprehension of a Lebanese national attempting to illegally cross the border, who admitted to being a member of Hezbollah and expressed intentions of creating a bomb, underscore the urgency of addressing the crisis. As Republican governors take proactive measures to secure their states’ borders, they highlight the need for a comprehensive and effective approach to immigration enforcement at the federal level.