Phoenix, Arizona – Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs delivered a powerful blow to Republicans in the state by vetoing a GOP-backed bill that aimed to grant Arizona the authority to arrest and deport migrants. The veto marks the first of the 2024 legislative session for Hobbs, who issued a record-breaking 143 vetoes last year, and deepens the divide between the governor and the Republican majority. The legislation, titled the “Arizona Border Invasion Act,” would have criminalized crossing the state’s southern border outside of designated ports of entry and allowed local police to arrest migrants suspected of violating the act.
Although some Republican lawmakers believed that Hobbs’ previous criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies signaled potential support for the proposal, the governor firmly rejected it. In her veto letter, Hobbs aligned herself with immigrant rights groups and businesses, emphasizing that the bill would harm communities, businesses, law enforcement personnel, and the state judicial system. She also reasoned that the legislation posed significant constitutional concerns and would likely result in expensive and prolonged litigation for the state.
The push for such legislation mirrors a similar law in Texas, which is currently facing legal challenges from the U.S. Department of Justice over its constitutionality and has been submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court for review. Arizona’s past attempts to enforce immigration laws have already faced lawsuits. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key provisions of SB1070, a contentious law known as the “show me your papers” law, which allowed police officers to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. The court affirmed that immigration law falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government.
Republicans swiftly criticized Hobbs’ veto, accusing her of inciting chaos and aligning herself with President Biden. State Senator Janae Shamp, the sponsor of the bill, expressed disappointment in Hobbs’ refusal to prioritize public safety, claiming that the legislation had garnered support from local, county, and state law enforcement officers. However, no law enforcement agencies voiced their approval or registered support for the measure during committee hearings.
On the other hand, immigrant and human rights organizations celebrated the governor’s veto, viewing the bill as an extension of the controversial SB1070. Noah Schramm, the border policy strategist for the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, praised Hobbs’ decision, arguing that the proposal would have fostered racial profiling and violated federal protections. Alejandra Gomez, the executive director of Living United for Change in Arizona, a pro-immigrant advocacy group, commended Hobbs for rejecting what she considered an inappropriate response to a humanitarian crisis.
Hobbs’ veto of the Arizona Border Invasion Act not only signifies her opposition to the bill but also represents a broader clash between the governor and the Republican majority. As the debate over immigration continues to unfold, the state of Arizona remains at the center of the contentious national conversation surrounding border security and the treatment of migrants.