Arizona Senate Republicans Push for Border Security Legislation Amid Governor's Objections

Arizona Senate Republicans have approved a bill that would make it a crime to illegally cross the border, a move that could bypass Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed similar legislation.

Arizona Senate Republicans are moving forward with a bill that would make it a crime to illegally cross the border, a move that comes amid criticism from Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and could potentially bypass her objections.

The "Secure Border Act," or HCR 2060, cleared a major hurdle in the state Senate on Wednesday after being approved by a Senate committee. The bill is modeled after Texas' controversial SB 4, which gives local law enforcement the ability to enforce immigration laws.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, said the bill addresses three key issues: border security, addressing the fentanyl crisis in the state, and ensuring that those receiving government benefits are in the country legally.

Petersen emphasized that the new bill is more narrowly focused on securing the border than SB 1070, a controversial 2010 immigration law in the state that was partially struck down by the Supreme Court in 2012.

Petersen also noted that the bill is necessary because Hobbs has not offered any concrete plans to tackle the border crisis, instead vetoing every bill the Republican-led legislature has put on her desk.

"We've done 10 bills in the last two years to deal with border security and she has vetoed all of them," he said. "We're going to send it to the voters for them to decide in November."

However, Hobbs has indicated that she does not support the new effort, stating that it is "anti-immigrant and likely to be unconstitutional."

If the bill is approved by the full Senate, it will then need to be heard by the state House of Representatives, where it enjoys the support of Republican House Speaker Ben Toma.

The proposal has garnered criticism from immigration advocates, who argue that it would disproportionately impact communities of color and lead to racial profiling.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona (ACLU) said in a statement that the bill "is a cruel and ineffective attempt to criminalize people for seeking safety and a better life."

"This bill would lead to racial profiling, discrimination, and the erosion of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve," the ACLU said.

Despite the opposition, Petersen believes the bill will have a good chance of passing once in front of voters, noting that the border crisis is the number one concern of many of the constituents he and his colleagues represent.

The measure's passage would mark a significant victory for Arizona Republicans, who have long criticized Hobbs for her stance on border security. However, it remains to be seen how the bill will fare in the courts if it is ultimately signed into law.