Pence calls on Congress to act on immigration during Arizona visit

PHOENIX — Vice President Mike Pence called on Congress to act on immigration during his visit to Arizona on Thursday for a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border with Gov. Doug Ducey.

Pence landed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base around 2 p.m then traveled to Nogales for a U.S. Border Patrol briefing and the tour.

“I just want you to know we get it. And we’re here to say it’s time that Congress got it, time that Congress got to work,” Pence said at a press conference at the border.

The vice president called the overwhelming numbers of Central American asylum seekers being apprehended at the border a “national security and humanitarian crisis” in a tweet earlier in the day.

Thank you, @VP, for coming to the border.

This is not a partisan issue. It's not a Republican or Democrat issue. It's an issue of public safety, border security and national security, and not just for Arizona but the entire country. pic.twitter.com/xWTVkXR99T

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April 11, 2019

At the press conference, Pence thanked Ducey, who he said has taken a strong stance on immigration and “stood up for border security.”

Last month, Ducey told KTAR News 92.3 FM that Congress needs to help Arizona with the release of migrants from federal detention into the state.

Briefed earlier on AF2 by @CBP Deputy Commissioner Perez & Chief Patrol Agent Tony Porvaznik on the crisis at our border. We are seeing UNPRECEDENTED numbers of border apprehensions. This is a national security and humanitarian crisis. pic.twitter.com/MmX1FSM1NX

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 11, 2019

Surveyed the U.S./Mexico border over Nogales, AZ with @DougDucey & @CBP leadership. We have a humanitarian crisis on our border unlike anything our country has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/MsJMdMmxZq

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 11, 2019

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dennels also met with the vice president and the governor at the border Thursday.

“I appreciate the invitation and opportunity to support our community as sheriff, and to provide local input to insure our voice is heard as policy and best practices are developed,” Dennels said in a statement.

Pence last visited Arizona in March, when he met with Ducey and participated in several business-oriented events.

He was the second member of the Trump administration to visit the border in Arizona in the span of a week.

Then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on April 4.

Three days later, Nielsen announced her resignation. Wednesday was her last day on the job.

Related

Pence arrives in Arizona for border visit on Thursday afternoonNielsen in Yuma says 'outdated laws' are 'main cause' of border problemsGov. Doug Ducey calls on Congress to help Arizona with released migrants10-year-old boy hospitalized after mountain rescue on Camelback’s Echo Canyon TrailHeat wave expected to bring record-breaking temps, heighten wildfire risk to parts of US2 contemporary fashion brands to make Arizona debuts at Scottsdale Quarter