NOGALES, Ariz. — Gov. Katie Hobbs has vowed to work with the incoming Trump administration on border security, while still sending a warning that she won't tolerate "misguided policies" that could potentially harm local residents.
During a Monday morning press conference near the Nogales Port of Entry, the Democratic governor said Arizona stands united to putting drug cartels "out of business" as Hobbs praised the actions of a task force at intercepting fentanyl from coming into the state.
Hobbs emphasized a tone that her administration "will not rest" when it comes to border security and expressed a willingness to work with an incoming president that campaigned on harsher immigration proposals.
"I will work with the administration when it benefits Arizonans and if I need to stand up to them because their actions will harm Arizonans, I will do that," Hobbs said.
President-elect Donald Trump said during a campaign rally he "will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out," a campaign promise that has sparked concerns from community organizations in Arizona that advocate for immigrant families.
Gov. Hobbs declined to specifically comment on hypothetical federal policies when questioned by the press on Monday.
"We don't know what a mass deportation plan will look like, what resources will be involved, I'm here to protect Arizonans and I will do that," Hobbs said.
Monday's event at the Arizona-Mexico border highlighted "Task Force SAFE," an initiative that deploys members of the Arizona National Guard to help federal officials with intercepting harmful drugs.
Hobbs' visit to Nogales comes after a major loss for Democrats in Arizona on Election Day. The governor's party failed to win a majority of seats in the Arizona Legislature and Trump easily defeated Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 180,000 votes in the Grand Canyon State.
On Monday, the governor said protecting the border is not a "Republican or Democratic issue" and she will work with anyone to improve security.
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