Governor Ron DeSantis offers assistance to Sheriffs in Texas and Arizona: Cartel smuggling continues to overwhelm the southern border.
Statement of the National Sheriffs’ Association
Governor Ron DeSantis offers assistance to Sheriffs in Texas and Arizona: Cartel smuggling continues to overwhelm the southern border.
Echoes Sheriffs call for commitment from all states and elected officials to support Law Enforcement
Yesterday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited one of the most dangerous hot-spots for smuggling along the United States’ southern border, Cochise County, Arizona. The Governor’s presence in Cochise County is the result of the February 9, 2023 call from the Nation’s sheriffs for action and assistance along the US southern border. He saw a community burdened by an unsecure border and smugglers racing through small towns in the desert to deliver drugs and people to the interior of the nation, increasing the presence of violent crime and drug trafficking, making every town in our nation a border town.
Last month, under the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott, Texas requested assistance from every state in an effort to lend support and protection to our southern border. While there has been some supportive response from governors and other elected leaders across the country and political spectrum, the lack of resources for local law enforcement agencies remain unnoticed by the current Administration. Without support from the current Administration, and with thousands of continuing daily encounters, local law enforcement agencies and governments struggle to protect our communities and enforce the rule of law.
The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) remains committed to contributing and developing a lasting border security solution. Simply put, the Nation’s violent crime is being driven by the Mexican Cartels and is the direct result of an unprecedented border crisis. These criminal organizations are committed to one thing: making money by whatever illegal means are available. In addition to millions of immigrants, hundreds of thousands of “got-ways” continue to sneak in and overwhelm communities with many coming in for the sole purpose of illegal activities such as human and drug trafficking. The cartels and their operatives are operating with near impunity, and the effects are disastrous in every American community.
Governor DeSantis added his voice to the call from the Nation’s sheriffs to demand their elected officials use every available sanction and accountability tools at their disposal in combating the atrocities committed against our citizens by the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels. Like other governors, including Idaho Governor Brad Little, Governor DeSantis on behalf of Florida has provided and continues to offer expert manpower, training programs, and technology to assist in responding to the border crisis.
Representative Sheriffs from NSA, Western States’ Sheriffs Association, Southwest Border Sheriffs’ Association, Texas Border Sheriffs’ Coalition and Major County Sheriffs’ of America attended yesterday’s meetings and furthered the call for states and communities to commit further assistance in solving this issue.
***This statement should not be construed to imply any political endorsement of any candidate.
