Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would have authorized police to arrest illegal immigrants, saying the legislation was anti-immigrant and likely unconstitutional. (YouTube)
"Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state," Hobbs said in a video posted to X before she vetoed the bill.
With narrow majorities in the state House and Senate, it's unlikely Republicans would be able to get Democratic support for a veto override, which normally requires a two-thirds vote.
"This bill does not secure our border. On the contrary, it will be harmful for businesses and communities in our state and a burden for law enforcement personnel," said Hobbs, although she did not say how the bill would have negatively impacted businesses and communities.
"I know there’s frustration about the federal government’s failure to secure our border, but this bill is not the solution."
Hobbs also said the bill would have potentially violated the U.S. Constitution, arguing that the federal government has the exclusive power to arrest and deport immigrants.
Therefore, Hobbs said her veto would avoid a long and costly litigation effort involving the state.
The move was slammed by Arizona Republicans, who said the border crisis has led to an abundance of criminal activity in the state's communities. The bill was passed without any Democratic support.
Migrants are seen camped out near Lukeville, Arizona, in December. (Fox News)
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The Arizona Border Invasion Act mirrors Texas Senate Bill 4, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in December, making illegal immigration a state crime. SB 4 gives Texas authorities the ability to arrest anyone they believe has crossed into the U.S. illegally.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of enforcement of the law.
Nearly 7.3 million migrants have illegally crossed the southwest border on President Biden's watch, a number greater than the population of 36 individual states, a Fox News analysis has found.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
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