Voters in Arizona approve a Republican immigration bill

Despite the protests of Democrats and Latino advocacy groups who fear the measure would result in racial profiling, Arizona voters approved a Republican-backed plan to grant state and local law enforcement the authority to enforce immigration laws.

 

Federal law already makes it unlawful to enter the United States from Mexico outside of authorized ports of entry. However, Prop. 314 would provide sheriffs, local police, and state law enforcement the power to detain migrants for unauthorized border crossings, similar to a plan that Texas lawmakers enacted last year. However, the law won’t take effect right now.

 

Despite being approved by voters, Arizona’s version of the law cannot be put into effect unless a court confirms Texas’ ability to enforce its own provision. The Texas measure, SB 4, is being challenged in federal court.