Arizona Proposes State Crime for Irregular Immigration
Arizona is on the verge of passing a new initiative that would make irregular immigration a state crime, following in the footsteps of Texas in its zero-tolerance policy towards undocumented immigrants. The bill, known as SB1231 and dubbed the “Arizona Invasion Act,” aims to punish those who cross the border illegally with local laws, imposing lesser charges for first-time offenders and serious crimes for repeat offenders.
The new proposal would grant state and local law enforcement agencies complete immunity from civil lawsuits if they cause any damage while complying with the new provision. If approved, it would be one of the strongest state laws against irregular migrants, following similar laws in Texas and Florida. The initiative was promoted by Republican legislators Janae Shamp and Joseph Chaplik.
The bill is reminiscent of the controversial SB1070, also known as the “show me the papers law,” which was imposed in 2010 and sparked significant backlash, leading to protests and an economic boycott against the state. However, SB1231 goes a step further by giving local judges the power to decide immigration cases and issue deportation orders.
Organizations defending immigration rights have raised concerns, noting that the Supreme Court has determined that only the federal government can apply laws of this nature. Nevertheless, with the proposal still in draft, it remains a topic of debate and contention. As Arizona presses ahead with its tough stance on irregular immigration, it is clear that the debate on immigration in the United States is far from over.