On June 26, 2024, a group of immigrants entering the United States are arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Ruby, Arizona.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
This piece originally appeared as part of NPR’s live coverage of the 2024 election. For more election coverage from NPR Network, visit: Live update page.
PHOENIX – Arizona voters passed a Republican-backed plan that would give more power to state and local law enforcement. Power to enforce immigration lawsover the objections of Democrats and Latino advocacy groups who warned the law would lead to racial profiling.
The state Legislature referred Measure 314 to a vote after a similar bill was introduced. He exercised his veto power earlier this year. By Katie Hobbs, Democratic Governor of Arizona. Critics of the proposal I compared it with SB1070a controversial immigration law passed in 2010 that was partially overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
But the measure approved Tuesday was popular among voters fed up with the federal government’s failure to secure the border.
It is already illegal under federal law to enter the United States from Mexico other than at a legal port of entry. But like a bill The Texas Legislature approved it last year.sheriffs, local police, and state law enforcement would have the power to arrest immigrants who cross the border illegally under Proposition 314.
However, this law will not come into effect immediately.
Texas Measures, SB 4; facing challenge in federal courtArizona’s version of the law, although approved by voters, will not be allowed to go into effect unless a court upholds Texas’ right to enforce its own provisions.
Some border sheriffs in Arizona have warned that they are not in a position to enforce the law, given that they do not have the resources to fund the measure.
Separately, Proposition 314 would create new penalties for individuals who use fraudulent documents to obtain employment or public benefits, as well as those who knowingly sell fentanyl (if it comes from outside the United States). We have strengthened penalties for cases where the act directly leads to the death of another person.
