Proposition 314 Debate: Arizona's 'Secure the Border Act'

Arizona Proposition 314: Immigration and border law enforcement measure is on the ballot for the Nov. 5, 2024 election.

In the Sept. 19 debate, Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh will argue in favor of the measure while Rep. Analise Ortiz will argue against it.

If approved, the measure will make it a state crime for noncitizens to enter the state at any location other than a port of entry, and arrests can lead to deportations that are ordered by state judges. Local law enforcement would need Probable Cause to make contact with anyone who appears to be crossing illegally.

In addition, people using false documentation to apply for public benefits or employment could be charged with a class six felony as a result of the measure.
The ballot measure also criminalizes the act of knowingly selling fentanyl that leads to the death of another person. Such an act is considered by the measure as a class two felony, which is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

Opponents of the measure are calling it racist, and some advocates of migrants say they are getting déjà vu. "This is now SB1070 on steroids," said Alejanda Gomez, Executive Director of Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), a Latino advocacy group.

Proponents say Proposition 314, if passed, empowers local law enforcement to arrest migrants crossing illegally. "This strictly has to do with border security. It’s a border bill. That’s why it’s called the Border Security Act. It only has to do with people crossing the border illegally. It does not have to do with people who are already in the state," said Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who is a Republican.

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