The Arizona Senate vote on HCR 2060, also known as the Secure the Border Act, was delayed due to concerns raised by GOP lawmaker Ken Bennett. The bill is modeled after Texas’ SB 4 and aims to give local law enforcement tools to enforce federal border security laws, making it a crime to illegally cross the border. Bennett objected to language in the bill regarding recipients of the DACA program, fearing that their legal status could change if the program was ever canceled. His vote holds particular significance due to a narrow majority in the Republican-led state senate.
The absence of Republican State Sen. Justine Wadsack, who was attending to a family emergency in California, further complicated the passing of the bill. Additionally, Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has voiced opposition to the legislation, arguing that it will not effectively secure the border and will harm businesses, communities, and law enforcement personnel. Hobbs vetoed a similar bill in March, leading Republican lawmakers to push for a new version that could land on the ballot for Arizona voters in November.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen expressed optimism that the bill would ultimately pass, noting that Bennett’s concerns had been addressed and that Wadsack was expected to return in time for a vote in the following week. Petersen clarified that DACA recipients were exempt from the bill’s provisions, addressing Bennett’s concerns. He argued that the bill is a valid solution to the state’s border security issues and emphasized that it is focused on border security rather than immigration, unlike the controversial SB 1070 law from 2010.
Efforts to pass the Secure the Border Act in Arizona have been met with challenges, including objections from Republican lawmakers, Democratic opposition, and the absence of key senators during important votes. The bill’s goal is to enable local law enforcement to enforce federal border security laws, with provisions targeting illegal border crossings. Governor Hobbs has expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on businesses, communities, and law enforcement personnel. Despite these challenges, Senate President Petersen remains optimistic about the bill’s passage and believes that it distinguishes itself from previous controversial immigration legislation in Arizona.
The delay in the Arizona Senate vote on the Secure the Border Act highlights the divisive nature of border security legislation in the state. GOP lawmaker Ken Bennett’s concerns about the bill’s language regarding DACA recipients have played a crucial role in delaying the legislation. The absence of Republican State Sen. Justine Wadsack has also complicated the process. Despite these challenges, Senate President Warren Petersen remains confident that the bill will ultimately pass and address Arizona’s border security concerns without repeating the controversial aspects of past legislation such as SB 1070. The fate of the bill now rests on the support of key lawmakers and potential amendments to address concerns raised by stakeholders.
