Why is it a travesty when Ducey buses immigrants, but not when Hobbs does it?

I disagree with several policies proposed by Arizona’s new governor but must give credit for one she mentioned at a press conference last week.

Katie Hobbs will continue Gov. Doug Ducey’s policy of moving migrants from our strapped border communities to other parts of the country. The only change Hobbs made was adding an air travel option to the program, which previously used only buses.

“It’s something that provides support to those local communities,” Hobbs said. “If we’re spending money to bus people, why not just get them to their final destination?”

As with our previous governor, only migrants who volunteer will be sent out of state.

It's 'mean' when Ducey busses migrants

When Ducey or Texas Gov. Greg Abbott transported folks from Tucson or El Paso, it was considered cruel. Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered airplanes from Florida, which was considered even worse.

Of course, when Republicans do it, it’s “controversial” and “mean.” Hobbs’s wise decision isn’t garnering much criticism because she has a “D” after her name. She even copied DeSantis on the plane thing.

Arizona’s new governor vaguely promised to “review” the program, but the frequent flier miles are already piling up.

Another view:What makes Hobbs' plan different? Intent

Press secretary Josselyn Berry gushed, “We’re sending migrants to cities they actually need to go to and be connected with their sponsors.”

Berry also promised it’s more cost-effective to add plane trips to the bus trips. No details were given on this last claim.

Nevertheless, Gov. Hobbs made the right move. Immigration is a national problem, not a state one. If Biden wants to overlook the massive increase in illegal border crossing, all 50 states should share the burden. The status quo cannot hold.

Border communities are at a breaking point

Between 2021 and 2022, Yuma County’s Border Patrol saw a 171% increase in migrant crossings. More than half a million people have been caught illegally entering the area, with an average of 6,000 migrants arriving each week. The government can’t count the estimated 2,000 weekly migrants who evade the patrols.

Good thing those shipping containers were removed from the border gaps.

Hobbs:Plan to pay migrants' travel is 'efficient and humane'

Since Yuma has 100,000 residents, this illicit traffic is 6% to 8% of the population. Every week. Cities from Seattle to Boston must do their part.

Jonathan Lines, a Yuma County supervisor, blames the federal government and President Biden in particular. 

“Policies need to be changed when you see an unprecedented amount of people coming across the border that even supersedes what we saw under any of the other presidents for the past 30 years,” Lines said.

Yuma’s social services are at a breaking point, especially the single hospital that serves the city.

“I have received calls from people saying, ‘I had to take my wife to San Diego, I had to take my wife to Phoenix to deliver a baby because there were no more beds at this hospital,’ “ Lines explained.

Criticized or not, Hobbs is right on this

It’s not cruel to send migrants free of charge to their preferred destination. What is cruel is leaving our border towns to fend for themselves.

Fellow Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado agrees with Hobbs.

“No one should play politics with the lives of migrants who came here to escape oppression,” Polis said, “and in Colorado, we are honoring our values of treating people with dignity and respect.”

He promised he is merely “helping these individuals complete their long and arduous journey,” and that, “states and cities cannot continue to bear this burden alone.”

I’m glad Govs. Polis and Hobbs haven’t received the criticism aimed at Govs. Abbott and Ducey. Transporting migrants out of state is a wise policy, whether pushed by a Republican or a Democrat.

Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. On Twitter: @exjon.