1 week Ago By Manuelita Beck
Two months after the governor vetoed a bill to making illegal border crossings a state crime, Arizona Republicans are trying again. This time, they want to go directly to voters. House Concurrent Resolution 2060 would make it a state crime to enter Arizona from Mexico at points outside of legal ports of entry, allowing local law enforcement to make arrests.
Those convicted would be ordered to leave the country, and judges could dismiss the charge if the person voluntarily agrees to leave. “We are putting border security policy to the voters,” Senate President Warren Petersen said at a press conference Wednesday. “The voters are going to get the opportunity to decide border security issues and safety for this state.
They're going to be able to decide to keep Arizona safe. Doing nothing is not an option.” Two months ago, Gov.
Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have made illegally crossing the border a state crime. HCR 2060 is a ballot initiative and cannot be vetoed; if it passes the Legislature, it goes directly to voters in November. “What we have in common on both sides is that we do agree that there is a problem at the border,” state Sen.
Catherine Miranda said. “But to create legislation here, when it's the federal government's job to do it, is dangerous, and the unintended consequences are vast.” Opponents of the measure say it’s a throwback to SB 1070, a controversial immigration law that passed in 2010.
Known by many as the “Show Me Your Papers Law.
