By The Diary
Aug 16, 2024, 02:04 AM EDT
The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a proposition that would allow local police to arrest undocumented migrants trying to enter the United States near the Arizona-Mexico border will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters to decide.
If voters approve the proposal, known as Proposition 314, it would make it a state crime for people to cross the Arizona-Mexico border anywhere except a U.S. port of entry and give state and local law enforcement the power to arrest violators and allow state judges to order people to return to their home countries.
Measure makes the sale of fentanyl a crime
The initiative would also make it a felony to sell fentanyl that results in a person’s death and would require some government agencies to use a federal database to verify a noncitizen’s eligibility for benefits.
The proposal will go before voters in a state that plays a crucial role in determining which party controls the White House and the U.S. Senate. Republicans hope it will focus attention on the border and dilute the political benefits Democrats seek from a ballot measure on abortion rights, AP reported.
Proposals must cover a topic
A court rejected a challenge by Latino groups arguing that the ballot measure would violate a rule of the state constitution, saying legislative proposals must cover a single subject. In an order by Chief Judge Ann A. Scott Timmer, she found that the measure satisfies the single-subject rule.
Opponents argued that the proposal addressed issues unrelated to immigration enforcement, the fentanyl crisis and public benefits regulation. A lower court had previously rejected those arguments.
Although federal law already bars unauthorized entry of immigrants into the United States, advocates of the measure say it is necessary because the federal government has not done enough to stop people from illegally crossing Arizona’s border with Mexico.
According to AP, some people who enter Arizona without authorization commit identity theft and take advantage of public benefits.
Governor vetoed a similar measure
In early June, the Republican-controlled Legislature voted to put the measure on the ballot, bypassing Gov. Katie Hobbs, who had vetoed a similar measure in early March and denounced the effort to bring the issue to voters.
The move marks the biggest push to involve local authorities in immigration enforcement since a 2010 state law that required police to question people’s immigration status in certain situations.
Abortion will be on the ballot
But it’s not just this initiative that will be in the hands of voters. Earlier this week, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office said supporters of a proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution had gathered enough signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.
If passed, it would allow abortions up to 24 weeks, with exceptions to save the mother’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. Abortion is currently legal during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy in Arizona.
With information from AP
Continue reading:
- Arizona to put abortion rights on ballot after collecting thousands of signatures
- Migrants rescued in Arizona after being shot on the Mexican side
- Border sheriffs oppose Arizona immigration law for being “racist”