Negligence of Katie Hobbs and Arizona Democrat Lawmakers Force Republicans to Send the 'Secure the Border Act' to November Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Negligence of Katie Hobbs and Arizona Democrat Lawmakers Force Republicans to Send the 'Secure the Border Act' to November Ballot

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— As the relentless crisis at the border rages in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona State Democrat lawmakers are neglecting their duties to not only keep our citizens safe from the associated criminal activity infiltrating our communities, but to also stop the drain of taxpayer dollars being used to handle the mass numbers of illegals entering our state. In response, Arizona State Senate and House Republicans are gearing up to advance a ballot measure this month, which voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on come November to combat the crisis.

According to the latest data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Tucson Sector has become the epicenter for the crisis in the wake of Texas Governor Greg Abbott taking action to secure his state's southern border, with migrant encounters skyrocketing by a whopping 133% this year compared to the same time last year. Nearly 350,000 people have entered our country illegally through the Tucson Sector during the first six months of FY 2024. This invasion has brought local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to their breaking point, overwhelming personnel as they work to respond to cases of human smuggling, drug trafficking, rapes, murders, high-speed chases, vehicle crashes, and other atrocities.

In the coming weeks, Senate Republicans will adopt a strike everything amendment to HCR 2060, which will be a ballot referral asking voters to approve the Secure the Border Act. This proposal is based on Texas' SB 4, but the policy is currently on hold as it's being litigated in federal court. If upheld, Arizona would have the opportunity to enforce the same measure, upon approval by Arizona voters during the November 2024 general election. The Secure the Border Act establishes in Arizona law border-related crimes with subsequent punishments. Local, county, or state law enforcement officers would be granted authority to arrest any non-US citizens who illegally enter Arizona outside of a port of entry, as well as those who have previously been ordered to leave but are refusing to comply.

HCR 2060 received its procedural first reading and committee assignment today during Senate floor proceedings. The bill will receive a second reading on the Senate floor followed by a committee hearing on Wednesday, May 8. Then, on or before Wednesday, May 15, HCR 2060 is expected to be amended and will receive its third reading in the Senate before transmittal to the House for final approval to appear on the November ballot.

"Arizona Democrats in power have shown us time after time, with every 'no' vote and veto of our border security legislation, that they are not concerned for the safety and well-being of our citizens, nor have any care for the wasted taxpayer dollars being used to mitigate the fallout from Biden's border invasion," said Senate President Warren Petersen. "Their priorities are tone deaf to the realities Arizonans are facing, and this will be confirmed when voters have the chance to take matters into their own hands this November. Republicans are committed to securing the border and returning sanity to our state after the chaos Democrats have willfully perpetuated with our current Governor leading the charge."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov