The Biden administration seems to have a serious problem with anyone who wishes to make the border more secure. As a result, states like Arizona are being forced to deal with the brunt of unconstrained illegal immigration. Back in August, Gov. Doug Ducey came up with a solution: using shipping containers to close gaps in the wall across the Yuma sector.
President Joe Biden was not keen on the idea of a Republican governor picking up the slack after the administration proved unable or unwilling to address the matter. The White House demanded Ducey remove the barricade — but the governor isn’t going down without a fight. He announced Oct. 19 that Arizona is filing a lawsuit to keep its “wall” in place amid the migrant crisis.
Doug Ducey Strikes Back
“Our border communities are overwhelmed by illegal activity as a result of the Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border,” Ducey said in a statement released on social media. He continued:
“Arizona is taking action to protest on behalf of our citizens. With this lawsuit, we’re pushing back against efforts by federal bureaucrats to reverse the progress we’ve made. The safety and security of Arizona and its citizens must not be ignored. Arizona is going to do the job that Joe Biden refuses to do — secure the border in any way we can. We’re not backing down.”
The conflict began when the Grand Canyon State stacked shipping containers on top of one another to create a barrier designed to repel illegal aliens trying to sneak into the country. The governor said it closed almost 4,000 linear feet using 140 containers. “Following a historic investment in this year’s state budget, forged in partnership with legislative leaders, we’ve taken a major step forward to secure our border,” said Ducey. “Five wide open gaps in the border wall near Yuma neighborhoods and businesses are now closed off. In just 11 days, Arizona did the job the federal government has failed to do — and we showed them just how quickly and efficiently the border can be made more secure — if you want to.”
The Bureau of Reclamation cried foul and demanded the governor take down the barrier on the basis that it violates federal law. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) balked in response, insisting that the state has a right to protect its citizens against the influx. “The myriad of federal agencies that claim jurisdiction on the southern border but do nothing to prevent the public nuisance caused by illegal immigration and criminal activity that exploits the open border is quite frustrating to those that live, work and recreate on that border and in our state,” said DEMA Director Allen Clark.
Doug Ducey (Photo by Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Who Will Win?
While Doug Ducey’s defiance of the Biden administration’s open borders agenda might earn him cheers from Arizonans who are fed up with the migrant crisis, he could have a hard time of it in court. Enforcing immigration laws and securing the border are the responsibility of the federal government, according to the Constitution.
Arizona has been down a similar road before. Back in 2012, the state declared the swarm of illegals entering the country an “invasion” and argued that it had the right to address the issue. However, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the federal government. “Arizona may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration … but the state may not pursue policies that undermined federal law,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion.
Regardless of the outcome, Ducey’s lawsuit raises important questions: Why would the Biden administration have a problem with Arizona erecting a barrier to turn away illegal immigrants? After all, White House officials have claimed the border is “secure.” What’s wrong with making it a little more protected?
But the answer seems clear, at least to those with somewhat cynical eye. The Biden administration is still refusing to take concrete action to stem the flow of migrants and illegal aliens across the southern border. Further, the White House doesn’t want states protecting their own citizens. If you didn’t know any better, you might be tempted to think this migrant crisis is happening by design.
