Arizona Bill Advances to Legalize Killing of Immigrants on Private Property
A controversial bill, House Bill 2843 (HB 2843), is currently making its way through the Arizona Congress, controlled by the Republican Party. This bill seeks to modify the existing Castle doctrine law to make it legal to use lethal force against immigrants who trespass on private property. The proposed changes would expand the rights of Arizona landowners in response to the increase in migrants from Mexico.
Republican legislator Justin Heap is behind the proposal to amend the Castle doctrine. He argues that the current law has loopholes that need to be addressed, especially in light of the growing number of immigrants and human traffickers moving through ranches and farms in the state. Heap’s proposal aims to allow property owners to use deadly force against anyone who enters their property, whether it is a residence or not.
Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has promised to veto the law if it is approved by the state Senate. Critics of the bill argue that it could lead to increased violence and discrimination against immigrants, citing a recent incident where a 73-year-old rancher, George Alan Kelly, shot and killed a migrant on his property.
Kelly is set to stand trial for second-degree murder in March, with prosecutors arguing that his actions were motivated by racism. The case has gained national attention, with radical and far-right sectors considering Kelly a hero for defending American territory from an “invasion.”
The bill’s advancement comes amid a series of harsh measures approved by the Republican-controlled Congress to address the influx of migrants at the southern border. Critics have likened these measures to the controversial SB 1070 law, which criminalized undocumented immigrants in 2010.
As the debate over immigration intensifies in Arizona, the outcome of HB 2843 and Kelly’s trial will have significant implications for the state’s approach to border security and immigrant rights. The issue is likely to remain a key topic in the upcoming electoral campaign, with voters closely watching how their elected officials respond to the challenges posed by immigration.