This November, Arizona residents will vote on a high-stakes proposal that could give local police officers the authority to arrest illegal immigrants who cross the Arizona-Mexico border. Proposition 314, also known as the Arizona Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure, was cleared for the ballot by the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this week, setting the stage for a significant shift in state-level immigration enforcement.
Proposition 314 would allow local and state police to detain and arrest individuals who unlawfully cross into Arizona, a power currently reserved for federal authorities. The measure also empowers judges to order deportations directly from state courts, a move aimed at expediting the removal of illegal immigrants.
In addition to border enforcement, the proposition would impose stricter penalties for fentanyl trafficking. Under the measure, selling fentanyl resulting in death would be classified as a Class 2 felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 10 years. It would also mandate the use of the E-Verify system to verify citizenship before individuals can access financial aid or public welfare programs. Those who provide fraudulent documents would face felony charges.
Opponents tried to block the proposal, arguing that it addresses unrelated issues like immigration, drug enforcement and public welfare, but the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the measure complies with the state’s single-subject rule.
The proposal is modeled after a similar law in Texas, though Arizona’s version is considered stricter. Texas’ Senate Bill 4, which authorizes local enforcement of immigration laws, has faced legal battles, but states like Arizona are determined to push forward with their own measures to fill what they see as gaps in federal border security.
With border security and immigration control remaining top priorities for conservative voters, Proposition 314 could become a significant milestone in state-led enforcement efforts if passed in November.
