(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – In a vital new boost to police powers, Arizona voters have taken a bold step to enhance border security by approving Proposition 314, a measure that grants local police the authority to arrest immigrants who cross the U.S. border illegally, challenging the federal government’s hold on immigration enforcement.
The initiative demonstrates Arizona’s commitment to protecting its borders and ensures public safety.
Proposition 314 was proposed by Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature after Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a similar bill.
Despite this resistance, more than 62% of voters supported the measure, illustrating Arizonans’ strong desire for stricter immigration laws and enhanced security.
Local law enforcement can now tackle immigration matters, previously under federal jurisdiction.
“Arizona voters approved a controversial ballot measure that will give state and local law enforcement greater authority to enforce immigration-related laws typically left to the federal government,” NBC News projects.
The measure criminalizes applying for public health benefits by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and makes it a felony to sell fentanyl resulting in a death.
It requires those caught illegally crossing from Mexico, outside official ports of entry, to face state charges, strengthening efforts against unchecked illegal immigration.
Proposition 314 also empowers state judges to issue deportation orders, enhancing local control over immigration.
But the measure’s implementation hinges on the constitutionality of Texas’ Senate Bill 4, which bans “sanctuary city” policies.
This move highlights a trend where states like Arizona join others, including Texas and Iowa, in testing local authority over immigration.
Despite support, critics warn of racial profiling risks and harm to Arizona’s reputation.
Concerns linger about potential economic impacts and discrimination, particularly toward Hispanic residents.
Legal challenges are anticipated, echoing past efforts to implement strict state-level immigration laws.
‘For nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has held that the power to control immigration — the entry, admission, and removal of noncitizens — is exclusively a federal power,’ notes 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Priscilla Richman.
Arizona’s approval of Proposition 314 represents a significant shift in state-level engagement with immigration enforcement.
As legal battles loom, the measure’s fate will influence other states exploring similar avenues to assert local control over border security, aiming to uphold public safety and national defense.
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