NW Valley Times

Arizona State Rep. Austin Smith (R-Wittman) today said Gov. Katie Hobbs’ (D-Ariz.) “cannot be serious” following Hobbs’ request for $752 million in funding for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Shelter and Services Program (SSP).

“You vetoed a good border bill and now are asking for 3/4 of a billion dollars from the federal government?” Smith posted on X. “You cannot be serious.”

“Respectfully, you have not done everything possible to secure the border,” said Smith. “Sign the border bills. We could have curbed this ourselves a year ago and can during session right now.”

Hobbs sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations committee today asking for a “substantial allocation of no less than $752 million” towards the SSP in the upcoming FY2024 Homeland Security funding bill. 

The SSP was enacted in 2022 as a result of the FY2023 Bipartisan Year-End Omnibus signed by President Biden. The program provides temporary shelter and other services to illegal aliens who have been processed and released by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody, while they await the outcome of their immigration proceedings.

The program provides money to state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and other entities, to fund the “humane” release of illegal aliens from short-term holding facilities. The program reimburses various services such as food, shelter, transportation, and medical care.

Hobbs’ request comes a week after she vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal for a person to enter Arizona by crossing the U.S.-Mexico border outside of an official port of entry. 

Sponsored by Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), that bill, SB 1231, the "Border Invasion Act," also would have provided civil liability to state or local government officials who enforce the law.

SB 1231 had passed both the Arizona House and Senate without a single Democrat vote. 

State Rep. Austin Smith was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives in 2022. Smith is a fifth generation Arizonian, he grew up working in agricultural jobs before joining conservative grassroots movements and Turning Point USA.