Gov. Mike Dunleavy joined 24 other Republican governors Thursday in support of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to ignore a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing federal agents to remove razor wire installed by Abbott’s administration along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The statement was published hours before Dunleavy spoke to a joint meeting of the Alaska and Juneau chambers of commerce and called for more immigration to Alaska.
He said the arrival of Ukrainian immigrants to Alaska has been a good thing.
“I know there are some folks that believe Alaska is just fine at 700,000 (people), maybe better at 600,000 or 500,000. I would challenge you on that,” Dunleavy said.
“Most economic systems, most societies, are driven by demand, and the more demand you have, the more business activities or services are delivered,” the governor said.
“America is in competition for people. Alaska is in competition for people,” Dunleavy said.
The governor’s office did not respond to questions emailed Friday seeking more information about the governor’s position on immigration. In the past, Dunleavy has criticized unauthorized immigration.
Thursday’s statement, published by the Republican Governors Association, was signed by every Republican state governor except the governor of Vermont.
“We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border,” it said in part.
Federal officials have sought the removal of Texas’ fences, which have contributed to the deaths of at least three people.
The Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 22 that the federal government may remove the fences. The federal government had asserted its primacy over immigration issues.
Texas has disregarded the court decision and continued to install more fencing while blocking federal officials from accessing the border area.
• James Brooks is a longtime Alaska reporter, having previously worked at the Anchorage Daily News, Juneau Empire, Kodiak Mirror and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. This article originally appeared online at alaskabeacon.com. Alaska Beacon, an affiliate of States Newsroom, is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government.
