Readers are likely familiar with the efforts of the state of Texas and Republican Governor Greg Abbott – despite the Biden administration’s lax stance on the issue – to combat the growing number of illegal immigrants crossing the country’s southern border. The administration has even sued the state for daring to apply existing laws regarding crossing our sovereign border, a case that is still being litigated in court.
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But Arizona is not the only U.S. state moving forward despite Democrats in Washington failing to fulfill one of their most crucial responsibilities: keeping Americans safe and sound and securing the border. After approval by the House on Tuesday, Arizonans now have the opportunity to vote in the fall on a referendum that would significantly reduce illegal entry into the Copper State from Mexico.
above the AP:
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s Republican-controlled state legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to a proposal that would ask voters to criminalize the entry of noncitizens through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry, setting up a vote on the bill on Nov. 5.
The potential referendum, which lawmakers approved by a vote of 31 to 29, would allow police personnel to remain near the border. arrest illegal aliens “unauthorized crossing of the border.” The bill, if passed, would also give state courts the power to deport illegal immigrants to their home countries:
Supporters also say the measure focuses only on the state’s border region and – unlike Arizona’s landmark 2010 immigration law – does not target people across the state. Opponents point out that the proposal does not include geographic restrictions on where it can be enforced within the state.
While there are some similarities with the controversial law in Texas, there are also differences. For example, it contains provisions designed to prevent drug trafficking and prohibit illegal immigrants from collecting government funds (i.e. tax money):
The ballot proposal includes other provisions not in the Texas bill that are not directly related to immigration, including making the sale of fentanyl that results in a person’s death a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and requiring state agencies that administer welfare programs to operate a federal database to verify whether a noncitizen is eligible for benefits.
As the AP report further stated, radical-left, progressive Governor Katie Hobbs was not pleased, and her interpretation of the actual upholding of the law shows that she is freaking out:
The proposal circumvents Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who vetoed a similar measure beginning of March and has condemned the efforts to bring the issue closer to the voters.
Hobbs spoke out against the passage of the bill, saying: “The extremists in Parliament have chosen to prioritize their political agendas over finding real solutions.”
More details on Fox News’s move:
Under the current proposal, a first-time conviction for violating border crossing rules would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. State judges could order detainees to return to their country of origin after serving a prison sentence. However, courts would also have the ability to dismiss cases if detainees agree to return.
The measure would require the state Department of Corrections to detain individuals charged or convicted under that measure if local or county law enforcement agencies do not have enough space to house them.
The proposal provides for exceptions for people to whom the federal government has granted legal residence status or asylum.
The provision allowing the detention of border crossers between ports would not take effect until the Texas law or similar laws in other states have been in effect for 60 days.
This story will continue to develop. RedState will provide further details as they become available.
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