PHX Reporter

Abe Hamadeh, Nominee for Arizona Attorney General, took to the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, to address the ongoing border situation, stating that the border is not secure. He also highlighted the absence of Democratic Representatives at the most recent field hearing on the border crisis.

"Our border is not secure and the Biden Democrats don’t care," Hamadeh said.

In May, the expiration of Title 42, a measure implemented during the COVID pandemic to curb border crossings, led to its replacement by Title 8, the pre-existing border control policy. Title 8 subjects those who cross illegally to fines of up to $250 and imprisonment for six months to two years per attempt. It also introduces provisions such as requiring border crossers to schedule appointments for asylum applications, welcoming up to 30,000 individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba each month with U.S. sponsors, expediting processing, deploying up to 1,500 active-duty military personnel to assist Border Patrol, expanding migrant holding centers, establishing processing centers in other countries for legal crossings, and more, according to NBC News.

Despite the enforcement of Title 8, dissatisfaction prevails over the current border situation, as lawmakers consistently voice concerns about inadequate border control and an escalating crisis. Currently, in Tucson, Arizona, the daily influx of migrants has surged to around 1,900, marking a staggering 134% increase from June's average of 812. This includes the presence of substantial groups, raising officials' apprehensions about potential involvement of smugglers. The communities of Lukeville and Ajo in Arizona are also facing challenges in accommodating migrants, leading to a situation where many are left outdoors due to overcrowded facilities, especially in the face of temperatures exceeding 110 degrees, according to CBS News.

On Tuesday, House Republicans convened a hearing in Arizona about the escalating border crisis on the same day President Biden visited the state. No Democratic Representatives attended the meeting. Despite the border crisis, Biden focused on designating the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, aiming to protect nearly a million acres of uranium-rich land from mining. This move, authorized through the Antiquities Act of 1906, has sparked debate due to its contradiction with Biden's climate-friendly energy emphasis, given uranium's importance in clean energy development, according to National Review.

"Southern Arizona shouldn’t be this dangerous," said Rep. Austin Smith, on to the X platform. "Human trafficking is modern slavery and it’s happening right here in Arizona. Instead of Biden traveling to Douglas or Hereford, Arizona today to see firsthand his incompetence, his handlers have him convinced to kneecap uranium mining in Arizona for the climate cult instead. Shameful."