Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently vetoed a Republican-backed bill aimed at addressing the surge of illegal immigration occurring under President Joe Biden’s administration. The legislation sought to criminalize the entry of illegal immigrants into the state through any location other than designated ports of entry, empowering local law enforcement to make arrests. Violations would be categorized as a “top-tier misdemeanor” or a low-level felony for repeat offenses.
Governor Hobbs, in a letter to Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, expressed constitutional concerns and anticipated costly litigation. She argued that the bill failed to secure the border, would negatively impact communities and businesses, and create additional burdens for law enforcement and the state’s judicial system. Despite the bill’s intention to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration, Hobbs characterized it as “anti-immigrant” legislation in a video on social media, sidestepping the distinction that the legislation specifically targeted illegal aliens.
Republican Senator Janae Shamp, the bill’s sponsor, criticized the veto, asserting that it exemplifies the chaos Hobbs is allowing in the state and her complicity in perpetuating the open border crisis alongside President Biden. Arizona finds itself on the frontline of the border crisis, mirroring the challenges faced by Texas. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas recently signed legislation empowering police to arrest illegal immigrants, with authorities already conducting arrests in Eagle Pass.
The Texas Department of Public Safety highlighted the enforcement of criminal trespass charges against single adult men and women under Governor Abbott’s Border Disaster Declaration. While Texas takes proactive measures to curb illegal border crossings, Hobbs’ veto in Arizona reflects a divergence in approaches between conservative-led states seeking to address border challenges and those opting for different strategies.