Governor Hobbs successes on securing the border

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OPINION — Securing Arizona’s border matters and requires coordination among federal, state, county, Tribal and local law enforcement. This takes collaborative leadership and Governor Katie Hobbs’ record includes several initiatives aimed at doing just that.

Her administration established a Border Coordination Office within the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to improve coordination among agencies involved in border security. It has also directed more than $100 million to local law enforcement for border security efforts, including drug interdiction and combating human trafficking.

In 2024, Hobbs established Task Force SAFE, which deployed members of the Arizona National Guard to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Arizona ports of entry. By February 2025, the Governor’s executive order reported that the operation had supported the seizure of more than 19.5 million fentanyl pills, 6,598 pounds of other illegal drugs, and 237 weapons.

In 2025, Hobbs established Operation Desert Guardian, bringing together state, county, local, Tribal and federal law enforcement to disrupt transnational criminal organizations. By September 2025, Arizona reported that Desert Guardian had resulted in 622 arrests and the seizure of more than 971 pounds of drugs. Combined with Task Force SAFE, the state reported more than $77 million in drug seizures and 988 illegal weapons seized since March.

Again, border security requires collaborative leadership which is ultimately about achieving results. Governor Hobbs has clearly demonstrated she has the collaborative leadership skills necessary to achieve these results.

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