Voters in the border state of Arizona approved Proposition 314, a bill that would allow local police to arrest immigrants suspected of entering the state illegally, amid growing concerns about border security.
Proposition 314 would make it a state crime for people to illegally enter Arizona from Mexico at other than official ports of entry, allowing local and state law enforcement officers to arrest them and state judges to order their deportation. Those who enforce this law will be protected from civil lawsuits.
The proposal would not take effect immediately; similar laws in Texas or other states would need to be in place for 60 consecutive days to prosecute violators.
Arizona Republican lawmakers argued the proposal would help secure the border as the Biden administration grapples with an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration.
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Proposition 314 would make it a state crime to illegally enter Arizona from Mexico other than at an official port of entry. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
Opponents of the proposal argued that it would not only have a negative impact on Arizona's economy and reputation, but would also lead to racial profiling of Latinos.
The proposal would allow local and state law enforcement officers to apprehend immigrants suspected of entering the state illegally, infringing on the federal government's authority over border security. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool, File)
With illegal border crossings surging under the Biden administration, President-elect Trump has made the issue one of the top priorities of his 2024 campaign.
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He also promised to end “all open border policies of the Biden administration.”
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The Trump administration is also likely to try to reinstate the 2019 Remain in Mexico policy and restore refugee admissions. He announced additional measures on Monday, pledging to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico.
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
