While visiting border, Arizona Gov. Ducey tears into Biden administration

PHOENIX – During a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tore into the Biden administration as being “totally divorced from the reality on the ground.”

Standing in front of a border wall in Douglas, Ducey said President Joe Biden’s immigration policies have directly led to a surge in unauthorized border crossings.

“I’ve been governor under three presidents, and this is by far the worst situation we’ve seen,” he said.

“Washington has never been more out of touch, and it starts at the top.”

Our nation is on pace to reach the highest number of apprehensions at the border in the last 20 years. We need D.C. to acknowledge this as a crisis — and address this crisis. pic.twitter.com/HaCnQZPxo5

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 19, 2021

Ducey spoke after a briefing with local officials and a helicopter tour of the area. He was joined by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, a fellow Republican, and others.

When asked if he’d invited Arizona’s Senators, Democrats Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, Ducey said they were “welcome to come any time they like” and “they don’t need an invitation.”

The governor said Arizona has been dealing with the situation without adequate federal support.

“Our No. 1 priority is keeping Arizonans safe, and we want to keep these migrants safe, as well,” he said.

“We need more commitment from Washington to address these needs.”

Ducey said Biden’s changes in asylum policy have created the perception that the southern U.S. border is open.

“The Biden administration can and should correct this perception and work to deter individuals from making this dangerous journey and sending their children to do so,” Ducey said.

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