Challengers filed a lawsuit last month to stop what they say is an unconstitutional ballot measure that would make it a state crime to illegally cross the Arizona-Mexico border.
New court filings give a defense from Republican legislative leaders.
The core of the challenge claims the ballot measure does not pertain to one single subject, as required by the state constitution.
Along with allowing local police to make arrests, HCR 2060 would increase penalties for people who sell fentanyl and for those who use false documents to obtain public benefits.
In the legal filings, attorney Kory Langhofer claims those provisions will stand up to the single issue scrutiny, as it all falls under the general subject of harms relating to the southern border.
Langhofer also cited case law that says the question of what is a single subject is to be given broad meaning. No date is set for a hearing.
