Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that aimed at curbing the influx of illegal immigrants and the violent crimes they come with in the state. The Republican sponsored bill, dubbed the Arizona Border Invasion Act, would have given police the authority to arrest illegal immigrants by making the crossing of the border at any location other than a lawful entry port a misdemeanor crime.
The bill would have also made it a felony for illegal migrants to cross the border after being deported from the country. The same felony charge would have applied to those who refused to comply with an order to leave the state.
However, Hobbs vetoed the bill, calling it anti-immigrant and likely unconstitutional.
In a post to X before her veto, she wrote, “Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state.”
“This bill does not secure our border. On the contrary, it will be harmful for businesses and communities in our state and a burden for law enforcement personnel. I know there’s frustration about the federal government’s failure to secure our border, but this bill is not the solution,” she explained without providing an actual solution or saying how the bill would be harmful to business and communities.
Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state. SB1231 does not secure our border. Instead, it demonizes our communities, hurts businesses and farmers, and burdens law enforcement and our judicial system.
I know there’s frustration about the… pic.twitter.com/JyGSpvr9tj
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) March 5, 2024
Hobbs echoed the same sentiments in a letter to Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, where she wrote, “This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel and the state judicial system.”
The governor’s decision earned her criticism from Republican lawmakers who say her decision ruined the state’s chance of curbing crimes perpetrated by illegal immigrants in the state.
Sen. Janae Shamp (R-AZ), who sponsored the bill, blasted Hobb’s decision, while highlighting the importance of the bill.
“The heart-wrenching February 22 murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley happened at the hands of a criminal who entered our country illegally. Arizona families are being torn apart by similar devastation,” she stated.
“Vetoing the Arizona Border Invasion Act is a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing in our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Biden’s accomplice. Arizonans want and deserve safe communities,” she added.
In a statement reacting to the veto, the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus said, “From human smuggling to child sex trafficking, rapes, murders, drug trafficking, fentanyl overdoses, high-speed chases, subsequent deadly crashes, and other atrocities, local law enforcement personnel have reached their breaking point trying to protect the lives of our citizens from this invasion.”
Despite their stance against the veto, Republicans might not be able to override the veto, as it requires a two-thirds vote in the state’s House and Senate, which might be impossible given the GOP’s narrow majorities in the state’s legislature.
