Arizona National Guard Deploys, Says Ducey

PHOENIX, AZ – The troops are headed to the border. Gov. Ducey announced Monday morning that 225 troops are being deployed with more to follow on Tuesday.

He announced on Twitter that he had just updated the sheriffs whose counties are on the border with Mexico.

"These troops will be helping our federal partners with any support role responsibilities that they need, and will be stationed in both the Tucson and Yuma sectors," he said.

The move is part of a plan announced earlier this week by by Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. (Get Tucson Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

"We are beginning today and we are moving quickly," she told reporters in the White House briefing room. "The threat is real."

Ducey had quickly signaled his support.

"Arizona welcomes the deployment of National Guard to the border," he said. "Washington has ignored this issue for too long and help is needed.

"Arizona, it's all about public safety."

Ducey is one of four governors whose states border Mexico.

Two others – the governors of New Mexico and Texas, both Republicans like Ducey and Trump – signaled their support.

Jerry Brown, the Democratic governor of California, has expressed his displeasure with the idea.

Nielsen was unclear exactly what troops will do at the border once they are beyond assisting Customs and Border Patrol agents.

In a related announcement from the White House, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that the Defense Department will start building a border wall on property that they control.

Sanders said that military bases have been the site of illegal immigration over the border with Mexico.

Officials say that the plan is expected to start at the Barry Goldwater Air Force Range, a bombing range that borders Mexico for 31 miles.

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Photo of Ducey meeting with sheriffs on Monday via his office.