Phoenix police are chronically understaffed. Prop. 314 adds immigration enforcement to their plate

The Phoenix Police Department — Arizona’s largest law-enforcement agency — has been understaffed since the Great Recession.

Now, by approving Proposition 314, voters have effectively increased officer workload by making them immigration agents, too.

Phoenix doesn’t have enough officers for effective traffic control. Yet Proposition 314 gives all police in Arizona new jobs to check labor documentation, do border enforcement and carry out deportations.

Phoenix attorney Ray Ybarra Maldonado says the language of the measure is watered down compared to SB 1070.

“It feels different. It’s not as directly worded and negatively harsh toward people of color,” he said.

Ybarra Maldonado said the powers given to police by Proposition 314 mean it could have a bigger effect than Arizona’s "show me your papers" law.

Phoenix police "will continue with its current enforcement and practices surrounding immigration violations," the department said in a statement.

Strict immigration laws passed in Texas and Florida have roots in SB 1070.

Ybarra Maldonado said Trump returning to the White House means the local political climate on immigration is the same as the national.

“Whereas before with SB 1070, we had the federal government to run to and be like, ‘Hey, stop these guys from going crazy,’” he said.

Ybarra Maldonado thinks there will be court challenges seeking to block Proposition 314 from taking effect.

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