The nation's sheriffs are thanking Governor Doug Ducey for his leadership in creating the American Governors' Border Strike Force, a coalition of 26 states to secure the border.

In a letter this week, the National Sheriffs' Association wrote that sheriffs are "well aware of how the dire situation on the border is impacting interior communities nationwide." The organization's support of the Strike Force joins the Arizona Sheriff's Association, who took a similar position last week. 

Read the letters below.

National Sheriffs' Association

Dear Governor Ducey:

On behalf of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), we write to applaud you for your leadership, and the 26 Governors across the United States, in establishing the American Governor’s Border Strike Force. Border Sheriffs are on the front-lines of the deteriorating border situation, and all across America, Sheriffs are also well aware of how the dire situation on the border is impacting interior communities nationwide.

The border crisis is a national security crisis, a humanitarian crisis, and a public health crisis as it fuels an increase in crime, including human trafficking; the spread of Covid-19; and out-of-control opioid, fentanyl, and other illicit drug deaths in every state.

Accordingly, it is our hope that the American Governors’ Border Strike Force will generate the leverage needed to target the cartels, both operationally and financially. We believe the Strike Force can do this by: increasing collaboration amongst all levels of government; improving intelligence gathering and investing in analysis; targeting human smugglers and traffickers; and stopping the flow of illicit drugs across the border and into America’s local communities.

In closing, we thank you for working collaboratively with local law enforcement to secure this country’s southern border; and, be assured, the National Sheriffs’ Association supports the American Governors’ Border Strike Force as this country’s Sheriffs stand ready to enforce the Rule of Law in safeguarding our communities, our counties, our states, and our nation.

Sincerely,

Vernon P. Stanforth
President
Jonathan F. Thompson
Executive Director & CEO

Arizonas Sheriff's Association

Dear Governor Ducey:

On behalf of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, we write to applaud the creation of the 26-state American Governor’s Border Strike Force. As Arizona’s elected law enforcement leaders across the state, we continue to see the border situation deteriorate and it is having real impacts on all of our communities.

The American Governor’s Border Strike Force can hopefully generate the leverage needed to target the cartels both operationally and financially by increasing collaboration amongst all levels of government, improving intelligence gathering, investing in analysis, targeting human smugglers, and stopping the flow of illicit drugs into communities all across the nation.

The border crisis is a clear national security concern, humanitarian crisis, public health crisis, and it’s fueling the drug epidemic in every state. Thank you for your leadership in bringing 26 states to the table to address this nationwide issue and working collaboratively with local law enforcement to secure our southern border.

We stand ready to enforce the rule of law in Arizona and remain committed to protecting our counties, state, and nation.

Mark Dannels
President
Arizona Sheriff’s Association
Cochise County Sheriff

Mark Lamb
Vice President
Arizona Sheriff’s Association
Pinal County Sheriff