Hobbs and Biggs Debated Border Security Plans

Governor Katie Hobbs and Andy Biggs presented competing visions for Arizona border security at a policy forum.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Immigration

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a desert fence silhouette against a wide horizon, symbolizing state border policy. — Governor Katie Hobbs and Andy Biggs outlined conflicting border security platforms during an Arizona policy forum held this week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should gubernatorial candidates prioritize cooperation with local and tribal law enforcement for border security?

Governor Katie Hobbs and Andy Biggs presented their border security platforms at a policy forum on August 25, 2026, at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The event highlighted starkly different approaches to state-level border enforcement.

Why it matters

The candidates presented these plans to appeal to independent voters, who currently represent a significant portion of the Arizona electorate. Securing this demographic is considered critical for both campaigns ahead of the upcoming election.

Governor Hobbs has provided over $200 million to local law enforcement and oversaw the seizure of more than 18 million fentanyl pills. Meanwhile, the state continues to navigate the impact of a 76-day partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

The players

Katie Hobbs

Katie Hobbs is the current Governor of Arizona.

Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs is a candidate for Governor of Arizona.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.

The details

Governor Hobbs highlighted her use of Arizona National Guard deployments and local law enforcement funding to secure the border. Conversely, Andy Biggs proposed reestablishing the Border Security Strike Force, which Hobbs dismantled in 2023, and appointing a dedicated border czar.

Katie Hobbs dismantled the Border Security Strike Force in 2023.
Donald Trump was elected to a second term in November 2024.
Andy Biggs made allegations regarding tribal nations in 2025.
State voter registration data was released in July 2026.
The Gubernatorial Public Safety Policy Forum was held on August 25, 2026.

Political Context

The debate centers on the legacy of the Border Security Strike Force, a policy mechanism established by former Governor Doug Ducey. Republican factions argue that reestablishing this force is essential, while the current administration maintains that alternative funding models are more effective.

The proposed security plans directly impact taxpayers through shifts in state law enforcement funding and potential regulatory changes at the border. Residents may also see changes in how the state manages cross-jurisdictional cooperation with federal and tribal entities.

The takeaway

The event underscores how border policy continues to be the dominant issue shaping the Arizona political landscape. Voters must weigh Hobbs's focus on existing law enforcement partnerships against Biggs's push for a return to specialized border strike forces.