TL/DR –
Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake called for the completion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and intensified actions against fentanyl smuggling during her first visit to the Southwest border. She also called for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and criticized his administration’s handling of southern border issues. Lake, who has previously made false claims about the 2022 gubernatorial election being “rigged” against her, has begun to moderate her rhetoric about her loss to Governor Katie Hobbs in Arizona’s governor’s race, but is still involved in a legal bid to contest the election.
Republican Senate Candidate Kari Lake Visits Southwest Border
Republican Kari Lake, during her first visit to the Southwest border as a Senate candidate, emphasized the need for completion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and addressed the issue of fentanyl smuggling.
On her “Mama Bear Border Tour” near the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Lake demanded President Joe Biden’s impeachment and criticized his administration’s handling of the southern border crisis. She labeled fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and expressed concern about its daily influx across the border.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals that majority of fentanyl at the U.S.-Mexico border is seized at official ports of entry, not between them. Nearly 90% of fentanyl was seized at ports of entry in fiscal year 2023.
Lake conceded to this fact but stressed her indifference towards how the drug enters the country, stating, “We don’t want the most deadly drug we’ve ever seen coming across our border.”
Fentanyl at the border:
Get more information about drug seizures at the Arizona-Mexico border.
Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado, during the event, praised the security of Arizona ports of entry and expressed concern about ongoing migrant street releases in the city. He highlighted the urgent need for funding to manage these releases.
Local governments and nonprofits have been stepping in to provide transportation and shelter resources for migrants released into southern Arizona communities due to overcapacity in Border Patrol facilities.
Pima County is spearheading humanitarian efforts with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program. A transition to the new federal Shelter and Services Program funding model is anticipated. This model may impose stricter restrictions on the use of funds, potentially causing more strain for nonprofits and border communities.
On the campaign trail:
Follow the latest on Kari Lake’s campaign.
Lake has recently begun to tone down her rhetoric about her loss to Gov. Katie Hobbs in Arizona’s governor’s race over a year ago. Nevertheless, she remains involved in a legal bid to contest the election and hold a new one.
Despite continuous false claims that the 2022 gubernatorial election was “rigged” against her, Lake’s visit comes as the Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector has been the busiest corridor for migrant encounters along the Southwest border for the fourth straight month.
In October, Lake confronted Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat also running for Senate, about the border issue during a flight back to Arizona. Their confrontation continued at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
—
Read More US Media News