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Published on November 07, 2024
Arizona Voters Approve Prop 314 to Allow Local Police to Arrest Migrants Suspected of Illegal EntrySource: Unsplash/Element5 Digital

Arizona voters approved Proposition 314, allowing local police to arrest migrants suspected of illegal entry from Mexico. While some see it as an overreach of federal immigration powers, the measure may not be implemented immediately, and critics warn it could harm the economy and lead to racial profiling, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.

As Arizona deals with the impact of illegal crossings, a new measure has drawn attention. Arizona's legislature has previously enacted laws to address immigration, including a ban on immigrant smuggling and a law against hiring undocumented workers. The latest proposal would allow law enforcement to arrest individuals entering illegally through unofficial points and give state judges the authority to order their deportation, according to AP News.

The passing of Prop 314 comes as illegal border crossings decrease, following White House measures to tighten asylum rules. While Arizona GOP lawmakers support the measure to enhance border security, critics warn it could be divisive. Kelli Hykes, a health policy worker, told AP News, "It’s so polarizing, and there are folks in my family that are going to be voting one way and I’m voting another."

The approval of Proposition 314 could align Arizona with states like Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma, which passed similar immigration laws, only for federal courts to block their enforcement. The law's future remains uncertain, with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a similar Texas law potentially influencing Arizona's measure. Dave Wells of the Grand Canyon Institute noted, "It's hard to know exactly what it's going to cost, but you are putting another burden on law enforcement." Senate President Warren Petersen expects legal challenges but believes the costs of enforcement are outweighed by the need to address illegal immigration, as mentioned by FOX 10 Phoenix.