Legislators in Arizona approved a ballot initiative on Tuesday that will let voters determine whether or not illegal immigration should be considered a criminal offense.
Under the so-called “Secure the Border Act,” it would be illegal to enter Arizona from Mexico. If found guilty, state judges would have the authority to deport migrants who have been arrested and detained by local police for allegedly crossing the border between ports of entry.
Passed largely along party lines by Arizona’s Republican-controlled Legislature, the initiative will appear on ballots in November of the year that Joe Biden will face Donald Trump in the crucial swing state for the presidential contest.
“Nothing good comes from open borders,” Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma stated. “Only crime, deadly drugs, violence, unsafe communities, and an unending financial drain on American taxpayers. Yet, Democrat leaders fiercely oppose doing anything about it.”
“Arizonans have had enough and want change. They want safe communities and a secure border. House Republicans do too,” he continued.
“That’s why we crafted HCR 2060, the Secure the Border Act, a ballot referral with meaningful reforms to protect the integrity of Arizona’s workforce, strengthen criminal laws, and reinforce the rule of law in this state. Today’s final passage sends this Act to the ballot this November, so the will of Arizona voters is heard.”
Similar legislation was vetoed in March by Democratic Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs.
In order to avoid another probable Hobbs veto, Republicans in the statehouse took advantage of a clause that permits them to put the proposal immediately on the ballot.
Following HCR 2060’s passage in the GOP-controlled state Senate last month, the governor criticized the legislation, claiming it would “kill jobs, hurt businesses, and prevent law enforcement from stopping dangerous crimes.”
“Business leaders, border law enforcement and bipartisan local leaders throughout the state who oppose this bill know it will not make us safer, instead it will demonize our communities and lead to racial profiling,” Hobbs stated.
