Arizona sheriffs say they won’t enforce proposed immigration law

Lauren Taylor

SHERIFFS IN AT LEAST FOUR ARIZONA COUNTIES SAY THEY WILL NOT ENFORCE A CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION MEASURE IF VOTERS APPROVE IT IN NOVEMBER. 

“PROPOSITION 3-14” … ALSO KNOWN AS THE “SECURE THE BORDER ACT” … WOULD MAKE IT A STATE CRIME FOR MIGRANTS TO CROSS ILLEGALLY INTO THE U-S.

THIS WOULD LEAD TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE LAW BY ARRESTING AND PROSECUTING SUSPECTED VIOLATORS. 

SUPPORTERS SAY THE MEASURE WILL HELP REDUCE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN THE STATE.

CRITICS SAY ITS ASKING LOCAL POLICE TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS ENTIRELY OUTSIDE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW. 

THEY ALSO CLAIM IT’S GOING TO LEAD TO RACIAL PROFILING AND BUDGET ISSUES. 

PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS NANOS TOLD “THE GUARDIAN” THE MEASURE WOULD INCREASE EXPENSES WITHOUT FUNDING FROM THE STATE.

HE WENT ON TO SAY “I’M NOT GOING TO ALLOW MY DEPUTIES ON THAT BORDER, TO ARREST PEOPLE, TO BOOK THEM IN OUR JAIL WHEN WE HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS THAT RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SHOULD HAVE SOLVED IT YEARS AGO.” 

IN 2012, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN AN ARIZONA LAW MAKING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A STATE CRIME ON TOP OF A FEDERAL CRIME. THE JUSTICES RULING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WAS A FEDERAL MATTER THAT PREEMPTED THE STATE LAW AND THAT CONGRESS HAD NOT GIVEN STATES THE LATITUDE TO REGULATION IMMIGRATION.

TEXAS  IS CURRENTLY FACING LEGAL BATTLES OVER A SIMILAR LAW THAT  ALLOWS LOCAL POLICE AND JUDGES TO ARREST AND DEPORT THOSE IN THE COUNTRY  ILLEGALLY. 

FOR SAN, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.

FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.