Arizona senators passed a proposed ballot measure on Wednesday that would give local and state police the power to arrest people entering the state illegally via its border with Mexico. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
While it is already illegal at the federal level to make unauthorized entry into the U.S., supporters of the measure said Arizona should be able to deal with the crime itself because the federal government isn't stopping the increase in crossings.
"Democrat legislators, Katie Hobbs and Joe Biden are failing Arizona. We share your concern. You will have the opportunity to take border security matters into your own hands this November with the Secure the Border Act," the Arizona Senate GOP posted on its X account on Wednesday.
Supporters also said some of the illegal migrants entering Arizona commit identity theft and take advantage of public benefits.
Opponents believe the proposal, if passed, would hurt Arizona businesses, burden law enforcement and lead to racial profiling of illegal migrants and American citizens.
"HCR2060 will kill-jobs(sic), make it harder for law enforcement to keep us safe and will vilify communities of color," Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement earlier this month. "We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a safe, secure & humane environment at the border to fix the crisis on our hands, but this referral is not the answer."
If passed by the state legislature, Arizona voters will have the opportunity to vote on the measure aimed at better securing the state's border with Mexico in November. (John Moore/Getty Images)
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The measure now advances to the Republican-controlled House.
If approved by the state legislature as a whole, it will bypass Hobbs – who vetoed a similar proposal in March – and be decided upon by Arizona voters on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/arizona-senate-advances-measure-allowing-local-state-police-arrest-migrants-illegally-crossing-border