Arizona Considers Texas' Controversial Migrant Arrest Plan

Migrants arrested in Phoenix by ICEPhoto byX (Twitter)

After Texas passed the bill to allow local police to arrest illegal immigrants, another state may do the same. Migrants crossing the border have seen an increase in Arizona surpassing the number of illegal immigrants coming across each day in Texas. 

Now an Arizona lawmaker is copying a recent move that Texas made in the border crisis. Senator Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, wants local police to arrest illegal immigrants. Texas recently passed Senate Bill 4 allowing police to detain illegal immigrants which has created some controversy. 

The Justice Department said according to The Texas Tribune that the bill is “unconstitutional and will disrupt the federal government’s operations.”  

Arizona bill’s sponsor, Senator Shamp said according to Tucson.com: 

“There are not any portions of (SB1070) in this bill, because this bill’s not about immigration and that bill was. This is just saying you can’t come into our state unless you come through a lawful port of entry.’’

Senator Shamp said according to Your Valley:

“Thanks to the Biden administration’s refusal to secure our border, the illegal activity, including unprecedented amount of human smuggling, drug smuggling, ladies and gentlemen, we’re in the thick of an invasion.”

Last year, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs took another idea from Texas as she wanted the Arizona National Guard to help in the border crisis. 

Governor Hobbs said according to a press release on December 15:

“I am taking action where the federal government won’t. But we can’t stand alone, Arizona needs resources and manpower to reopen the Lukeville crossing, manage the flow of migrants, and maintain a secure, orderly, and humane border. Despite continued requests for assistance, the Biden administration has refused to deliver desperately needed resources to Arizona's border.”

Arizona is copying Governor Abbott’s idea to support the State in the migrant crisis.