Teri on Border Security & Immigration
As a candidate for Governor of Arizona, I believe border security and immigration policy should be guided by law, order, safety, and human dignity. Secure borders are important for protecting our communities, enforcing our laws, and maintaining an orderly immigration system.
I recognize that many people who attempt to cross the border face dangerous circumstances, including human trafficking, exploitation by criminal organizations, and life-threatening conditions. Too many lives are lost each year, and addressing these humanitarian concerns must be part of any serious border policy.
I support legal immigration and believe immigration has long been a part of the American experience, as it is in nations around the world. At the same time, every country has the right and responsibility to enforce its laws and manage its borders. Arizona's public resources should be prioritized responsibly while ensuring that immigration policies are fair, lawful, and effective.
As governor, I support strong border security, legal pathways for immigration, and professional law enforcement that upholds the law while respecting the dignity and rights of all people. Safety, accountability, and compassion can coexist, and Arizona can lead with both strength and humanity.
Supporting Legal Immigration and the Rule of Law
As Governor of Arizona, I support legal immigration and believe that a fair, orderly, and secure immigration system benefits everyone. Throughout the world, nations establish immigration laws and procedures to protect their citizens, maintain public safety, and provide a structured pathway for those seeking to live and work within their borders. Arizona should be no different.
Protecting people means maintaining legal standards and processes that are applied fairly and consistently. When immigration occurs through lawful channels, it helps ensure that individuals and families have access to appropriate protections, opportunities, and resources while supporting the long-term stability of our communities.
As a border state, Arizona has a unique responsibility to balance compassion with the rule of law. I support policies that strengthen border security, combat human trafficking and exploitation, and encourage legal pathways for immigration. We must also recognize that individuals who attempt dangerous crossings often place themselves at risk of injury, exploitation, or death at the hands of criminal organizations.
My administration will work with federal, state, and local partners to promote public safety, support legal immigration, and ensure that Arizona remains a state that respects both human dignity and the rule of law. We can secure our borders, protect our communities, and welcome those who follow the legal process—all while upholding the values that make Arizona and America strong.
Due Process, Border Security, and Humane Immigration Enforcement
As Governor of Arizona, I support legal immigration, secure borders, and the law enforcement professionals who work every day to keep our communities safe. Arizona is a border state, and we must have an immigration system that is orderly, lawful, and effective.
At the same time, our nation is built on the rule of law and the constitutional principle of due process. Every person detained for immigration proceedings should have access to the legal processes guaranteed under federal and state law. Government functions best when laws are enforced fairly, consistently, and transparently.
I also believe that no individual in government custody should be subjected to abuse, neglect, unsafe conditions, or unnecessary violence. Detention facilities operating within Arizona should meet appropriate standards for safety, accountability, and humane treatment. Respect for human dignity and respect for the law are not opposing values—they are complementary ones.
My administration will work cooperatively with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to promote public safety while ensuring that constitutional protections are respected. We can support legal immigration, secure our border, enforce the law, and uphold basic human rights at the same time.
Arizona can be a state that is both safe and just. I believe we can achieve both without sacrificing either.
This version is written in a moderate, governor-style tone that appeals to independents, Republicans, and Democrats by emphasizing law enforcement, due process, constitutional rights, and humane treatment without taking an extreme position.
Protecting Arizona's Border, Wildlife, and Tribal Heritage
Teri Ann Hourihan for AZ Governor. The recent Arizona Mirror article highlights concerns that construction of a second border wall near Quitobaquito Springs in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument could threaten rare wildlife found nowhere else in the world, including the Sonoyta mud turtle, Sonoyta pupfish, and the Quitobaquito springsnail. The area is also culturally significant to the Tohono O’odham Nation, raising concerns about protecting both natural and tribal resources as border security projects move forward. (People.com) As Governor, I believe Arizona does not have to choose between securing our border and protecting our natural heritage. I strongly support a secure border and completing the border wall where it is needed to keep our communities safe. At the same time, I believe we have the talent, engineering, and innovation to design projects that protect sensitive habitats, respect tribal lands and cultural sites, and preserve Arizona’s unique wildlife whenever possible. We can accomplish all of these goals together. Security, conservation, and respect for our tribes are not competing priorities—they are Arizona priorities. As Governor, I will work with federal, tribal, environmental, and local partners to ensure Arizona remains both secure and a responsible steward of the land we call home.
Upholding the Constitution, Protecting Arizona
Teri Ann Hourihan for AZ Governor. The U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed what has long been understood under the Fourteenth Amendment: birthright citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be changed by executive order. The Court ruled that any change to this longstanding constitutional protection must occur through the constitutional process—not through unilateral executive action. (Reuters) As a candidate for Governor of Arizona, I support upholding the Constitution and respecting the rule of law. Regardless of political affiliation or the issue before us, our leaders must operate within the authority granted by the Constitution. When we disagree with the Constitution, the answer is not to bypass it—it is to follow the amendment process established by our Founders. Arizona deserves leaders who will defend the Constitution while also pursuing secure borders, lawful immigration, and effective public policy. We can support strong immigration enforcement and border security without disregarding constitutional protections that have been recognized for generations. As Governor, I will always stand for constitutional government, equal application of the law, and policies that protect both the rights of our citizens and the integrity of our nation