Arizona Sen. Kelly, Governor-elect Hobbs, both criticize Biden admin (and GOP) for border policy

Two recently elected Arizona Democrats have publicly criticized the Biden administration and the Democratic Party for their handling of the issues of the Southern border and illegal immigration. They were also critical of the Republican Party.

Sen. Mark Kelly, who won re-election by defeating Republican nominee Blake Masters, told the Washington Post in an interview that the Democrats "absolutely" do not understand the border crisis. He also criticized Republicans, who he said just talk about the issue but don't do "anything about it."

"When I first got to Washington, it didn't take me long to realize that there are a lot of Democrats who don't understand our Southern border and a lot of Republicans who just want to talk about it. Don't necessarily want to do anything about it, just want to use it politically," Kelly said. "Our country would really benefit from stronger border security and comprehensive immigration reform."

Arizona Democratic Governor-elect Katie Hobbs said Tuesday on CNN that President Joe Biden isn't doing enough in regard to border security at the Southern border, according to The Daily Caller.

Asked by CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins how she will handle the border crisis upon assuming office, the former Arizona secretary of state whose election as governor is being challenged by her Republican opponent in the race, Kari Lake, said that both parties have failed on the issue.

"Arizona has certainly born the brunt of decades of inaction from both parties in Washington," Hobbs said. "We need real action on immigration reform. We need real border security."

Collins asked Hobbs if Biden had done enough to secure the border.

"I don't think they are doing enough. I would love to have them visit and see firsthand the kind of support and relief that folks in these communities need from the federal government," Hobbs said.

Customs and Border Patrol reported that there have been about 2.3 million encounters in fiscal year (FY) 2022, according to the outlet.