An Arizona push to work around Gov. Katie Hobbs and put tougher immigration laws in front of the voters to decide cleared a major hurdle in the state Senate.
The governor has said that the border isn’t secure. Warren Petersen, Arizona Senate President, said she’s made statements about the Biden Administration and the federal government failing us. “But unfortunately, these are just words,” he said.
Petersen made his comments after a committee of the Arizona Senate approved the “Secure Border Act,” or HCR 2060 on Wednesday. This is bringing the issue closer to the voters in November.
The bill, which was modeled on Texas’ controversial SB 4 would make illegal border crossing a crime. The bill, like the Texas law that is at the heart of a court case, would allow local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.
Petersen, Arizona’s top Republican senator, said the bill was a true border security measure. It allows law enforcement, if they notice someone crossing the border illegally to arrest, detain, and take them through the legal process.
Petersen said that the bill addresses 3 key issues: border security, the fentanyl epidemic in the state, and ensuring that those receiving government benefits in the country are there legally.
The Arizona legislator also emphasized that the new bill was very different from SB 1070, a controversial immigration law that was passed in 2010 in the state and partially overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States in 2012.
Petersen explained that the previous bill allowed for law enforcement to question immigrants in any part of the state, while the current bill is focused more on border security.
Arizona Republicans can bypass their Democratic Governor who, in March, vetoed the same bill that would have made illegal border crossing a crime in the state.
This bill will not secure our borders. Hobbs stated that the bill would be detrimental to businesses, communities, and law enforcement in the state. “I understand that there is frustration over the federal government failing to secure our border. But this bill isn’t the solution.”
According to a report by AZ Family, Hobbs also stated that she did not support the new initiative.
Hobbs stated, “We’re going to continue to address the situation and work with border communities as well as the coalition we have created whether or not this measure is put to the ballot.”
Petersen, however, believes that the new legislation will be the best solution to the problem, as the governor has failed to offer any concrete plans for resolving the border crisis. Instead, she has vetoed every bill put before her by the Republican-led Legislature.
He said, “We have passed 10 bills to address border security in the past two years and she has vetoed them all.” “We will send it to voters in November for their decision.”
Petersen is confident that the bill, once it reaches the voters’ attention, will be passed. He notes that many of his constituents and colleagues are concerned about the border crisis.
The proposal now moves to the Senate’s full body for approval. A vote is expected on Wednesday.
According to AZ Family, the measure must also be heard in the state House of Representatives where Republican House Speaker Ben Toma supports it.
