Arizona Senate President Petersen Recaps Recent Visit to Southern Border

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                        

Monday, June 9, 2025

Arizona Senate President Petersen Recaps Recent Visit to Southern Border

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Senate President Warren Petersen is recapping a recent trip to the border he helped arrange with almost a dozen attorneys general from around the country and members of local law enforcement. 

During the visit, the delegation spoke with members of local law enforcement, government officials, medical professionals, and representatives of community organizations. The reports on the ground confirmed that there are a mere handful of apprehensions each day, that local-area hospitals are not overwhelmed by border crossers, that community resources are better allocated to U.S. citizens in need, and that the federal government is not allowing illegal immigrants to escape culpability – in large part by ending the catch and release program and stepping up prosecutions by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice. 

"For the first time in recent history, most Americans say the country is on the right track," said President Petersen. "Of course, the media is surprised. But I am not. Just last month, I visited the border with 11 AGs from around the country.  We witnessed the safest border in American history.  Crossings have dropped from 1400 a day to just four per day.  We didn’t need a new law.  We just needed a new President to end catch and release, prosecute criminals, and enforce the law.  But the fight's not over. And there is more work to do.  You can count on the Republican-led Arizona Legislature to support the Trump Administration in keeping Arizona safe. Let's keep Arizona and America on the right track."

"When federal officials can't do their jobs, every state becomes a border state - even Indiana," said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. "We were the first non-border state to sue the Biden Administration over its lawless immigration policies. Now under the Trump Administration, morale at the border has skyrocketed. I visited the border- not just for our law enforcement- but for the teachers overwhelmed by the fallout, for the parents and professionals caught in a broken system."

"Opioids and fentanyl that crossed the southern border have killed thousands of Utahns," said Utah Attorney General Derek Brown. "I visited the border last month to see the conditions firsthand and determine how I can work with state and federal partners to protect Utah and our country. I appreciate the Arizona Senate's commitment to securing our border. In Utah, we are committed to doing our part by disrupting drug trafficking."

"This was my second time visiting the border," said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. "I thought it was bad the first time, but the neglect of the last four years is shocking. I am grateful to President Trump for making it a priority to defend the integrity of our nation’s borders and our sovereignty, and to make our communities safer by deporting criminal aliens.  The Mississippi Attorney General's Office is proud to be a 287g task force partner with ICE.  The failed Biden border policies made us all border states, and we all need to step up to take back control and bring safety back to our communities."

"Our visit reinforced the need for a stronger national immigration policy for both border and non-border states," said South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. "I support President Trump's efforts to stop illegal immigrants, many who are violent criminals, from coming into our states."

"Biden's reckless, open-border agenda has empowered cartels, flooded our communities with fentanyl, and put American lives at risk," said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. "Every state is now a border state, and South Carolina is no exception. President Trump understands the crisis. He’s the only leader with the courage to call it what it is and take bold, decisive action to secure our border and defend our nation. I’m proud to stand with him and his administration as we work to restore law and order and put America First again."

"Educating law-enforcement from around the country is an important part of our job," said Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, President of the Arizona Sheriffs Association. "Law enforcement around the state face immense challenges because human and drug smugglers are determined to break into the United States. Educational opportunities, like the one President Petersen arranged for law enforcement, help build support for increased resources to stop the flow of illegal activities."

"It was an honor to welcome attorneys general from around the nation," said Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot. "Anytime a state's top law enforcement official wants to learn firsthand what's happening at the border, I am happy to show these men and women the challenges we face. I thank Senate President Warren Petersen for arranging this tour to highlight the ongoing issues we have along our southern border."

"Thanks to President Trump's unwavering leadership and commitment, the border has never been more secure," said Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines. "Yuma experienced the brunt of the border crisis over the past four years, and we are grateful to again have officials in the White House who understand our plight and take action to alleviate the serious issues on the ground. I'm thankful for our friends across the country in attorneys general and state legislators, like President Warren Petersen, who have stood with us through thick and thin. Together, we are making a difference for residents of the border communities."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov