Arizona GOP passes 'Secure the Border Act' allowing arrest of undocumented immigrants, heads to voters

PHOENIX: The Arizona House of Representatives passed HCR 2060, the Secure the Border Act, on a party-line vote of 31 to 29 on Tuesday, June 4, propelling the controversial measure to a public vote in November.

This move follows the veto of a similar bill by Governor Katie Hobbs earlier in the year. By pushing the measure as a ballot initiative, Arizona Republicans aim to bypass the governor's veto and enshrine the law into the state constitution.

If approved by voters in November, the measure would grant local law enforcement agencies in Arizona the authority to arrest individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants. Critics argue that this provision could lead to racial profiling and discrimination.

Additionally, the measure would empower state judges to issue deportation orders, a move seen as encroaching on federal immigration authority.

What is HCR 2060?

HCR 2060 is viewed as a revival of the "show me your papers" law from the 2010s, which was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The new measure mirrors Texas's SB 4, currently under appeal in the 5th Circuit. Much of the Arizona bill's implementation depends on the enforceability of SB 4 in Texas, potentially setting the stage for another Supreme Court showdown over states' rights to circumvent federal authority on immigration matters, reported MTN.

Governor Hobbs released a statement following the bill's passage, reiterating her opposition: "I’ve said it before and I will say it again: HCR 2060 will hurt Arizona businesses, send jobs out of state, make it more difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs, and bust the state’s budget. It will not secure our border. Despite strong opposition from business leaders, border law enforcement, and bipartisan local leaders throughout the state, extremists in the legislature have chosen to prioritize their political agendas over finding real solutions."

Immigrant advocates condemn border bill as racist and harmful

The bill's passage sparked outrage among immigrant communities and communities of color. Rocky Rivera, a community organizer for Living United for Change in Arizona, condemned the measure: "We feel it’s a total racist bill, one that will be detrimental to our community in Tucson. You know a lot of our businesses depend on the spending power that immigrants spend," said community organizer for Living United for Change in Arizona, Rocky Rivera.

The bill's advancement through the State Senate saw protests from the audience, with chants of "stop the hate, stop the hate" echoing through the gallery. For the final vote in the House chamber, the gallery was closed due to reported safety concerns.