A Native American nation has refused to allow National Guard troops to access its southern border as the immigration crisis continues.
In a statement on Monday, Verlon Jose, chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation, commented on Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signing an executive order sending the National Guard to its southern border, while adding the nation and Hobbs’ office had agreed no troops would be sent to the nation.
“We are in close communication with Governor Hobbs on this issue,” Jose said. “We made clear that no National Guard would be deployed to the Nation and her office has agreed. Today’s action by the Governor is a necessary step in addressing the current crisis at the border.”
The Native American nation reportedly does not have a wall and as a result sees more than 1,000 migrants a day crossing the border, according to Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin.
“Ultimately, comprehensive border solutions are a federal issue,” Jose added. “Congress needs to act to pass sensible immigration legislation. Congress also needs to appropriate the necessary resources for CBP to address the temporary migrant surge. Until they take these common-sense steps, our communities will continue to be impacted by border problems.”
In early November, the Tohono O’odham Nation requested additional help from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as the nation experienced a surge in migrants crossing the border.
The nation requested to have more federal resources to help identify and process the migrants, many of whom are seeking asylum.
Jose has previously blasted the U.S. government for “failed federal immigration policies” and for building “wasteful and ineffective walls.”