Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has vetoed a bill sponsored by Republicans that would have authorized police to arrest illegal immigrants. Hobbs claimed that the legislation was anti-immigrant and likely unconstitutional. This move has been heavily criticized by Republicans who argue that the bill would have helped combat the numerous crimes associated with illegal immigration in the state.
The bill, known as the Arizona Border Invasion Act, aimed to make it a misdemeanor state crime for anyone to illegally cross the border at any location other than a lawful port of entry. Additionally, it would have made it a felony for those who have been deported to cross the border again, as well as for individuals who have been ordered to leave the state but refused to comply. Local, county, and state law enforcement officers would have been granted the authority to arrest such individuals.
Governor Hobbs, in a video posted online, stated that “anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state.” She argued that the bill would not secure the border and would be detrimental to businesses and communities. However, she did not provide specific examples of how the bill would negatively impact these entities. Hobbs also claimed that the bill potentially violated the U.S. Constitution, as she believes that the federal government has exclusive power over the arrest and deportation of immigrants.
The veto has drawn strong criticism from Arizona Republicans who assert that the border crisis has resulted in increased criminal activity within the state’s communities. The bill was passed without any support from Democrats in the legislature.
The Arizona Senate Republican Caucus issued a statement saying, “From human smuggling to child sex trafficking, rapes, murders, drug trafficking, fentanyl overdoses, high-speed chases, subsequent deadly crashes, and other atrocities, local law enforcement personnel have reached their breaking point trying to protect the lives of our citizens from this invasion.” Senator Janae Shamp, who sponsored the bill, cited the murder of a nursing student by an individual who entered the country illegally as an example of the devastating consequences of the border crisis.
Governor Hobbs’ veto comes after a record-breaking 143 vetoes issued last year. Her critics argue that she is perpetuating the open border crisis and acting as an accomplice to President Biden. Hobbs assumed office in January 2023 after winning the gubernatorial election against Kari Lake, who has refused to concede her defeat and has repeatedly challenged the results in court.
The Arizona Border Invasion Act is similar to Texas Senate Bill 4, which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in December. SB 4 makes illegal immigration a state crime in Texas and grants authorities the power to arrest anyone they believe has crossed into the U.S. illegally. The U.S. Supreme Court recently granted a stay of enforcement of the law.
The issue of illegal immigration remains a contentious one, with nearly 7.3 million migrants having illegally crossed the southwest border during President Biden’s tenure. Critics argue that this number exceeds the population of 36 individual states, highlighting the severity of the situation.
In conclusion, Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of the Republican-sponsored bill authorizing the arrest of illegal immigrants has sparked intense criticism from Republicans who believe it would have helped tackle the crimes associated with illegal immigration. The debate over border security and immigration policies continues to be a divisive issue in Arizona and across the United States.
