Proposition 314 would make it a state crime to enter Arizona by crossing the state’s border with Mexico outside of a legal port of entry, and it would empower local and state law enforcement to arrest people for violating that law.
Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), Poder in Action and other groups argued the proposal, referred to the ballot by Republican lawmakers, runs afoul of the state Constitution, claiming it deals with a broad range of unrelated topics.
Specifically, the groups claimed separate sections dealing with illegal border crossings and fentanyl trafficking violate a state constitutional provision requiring individual pieces of legislation to stick to a single subject.
But, last week, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Minder disagreed. He found all parts of the bill related to problems resulting from an unsecured border.
Jim Barton, an attorney for LUCHA, said the plaintiffs have filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court.
The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office said the case must be resolved by Aug. 22 so ballots can be printed, according to a scheduling order signed by Supreme Court Justice Kathryn King.
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Pinal County Superior Court Judge Joseph Georgini placed a temporary restraining order on the Pinal County attorney’s agreement with ICE on Monday. -
Phoenix leaders voted to draft an ordinance for how to respond if authorities target the city for a crackdown like in Minneapolis. -
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is considering using the state’s “public nuisance” law to stop ICE from opening a massive detention facility in Surprise. -
The ruling comes from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals — which has jurisdiction over Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. -
On Tuesday, the Phoenix City Council is scheduled to talk about developing a transparency initiative in case of a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation.
