Arizona’s Democratic governor vetoed a law that would have made unauthorized border crossings a crime punishable by six months in prison.
In a letter Monday, Katie Hobbs rejected the Republican-backed bill, saying it did not “secure” the border that runs through the state.
The bill would have jailed offenders for no more than six months for the first offense and no more than two years for subsequent offenses.
It would also have prohibited “evading inspection examination by immigration officials” and “attempting to enter or obtain entry into the United States by intentionally false or misleading representation or intentional concealment of a material fact.”
In response to Hobbs’ decision, state Senate Republicans criticized his veto.
State Senator Janae Shamp said, “The Legislature did its job to protect our citizens, but Governor Hobbs did not do hers.”
In a letter sent Monday, Katie Hobbs rejected a Republican-backed bill that would have made unauthorized border crossings into Arizona a crime punishable by six months in jail, saying it did not “safeguard” the state.
Immigrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in December in Lukeville, Arizona.
‘Vetoing the Arizona Border Invasion Act is a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing on our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Biden’s accomplice.’
Hobbs attempted to explain the reasons behind his veto, which came despite the flood of migrants who have entered the United States across the southern border since President Joe Biden took office.
Arizona has encountered 250,611 migrant crossings since October, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“Today I vetoed Senate Bill 1232. This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful to our state’s communities and businesses, and a burden on law enforcement personnel and the state’s judicial system,” he wrote Hobbs.
“In addition, this bill raises significant constitutional concerns and would surely plunge the State into costly and protracted litigation.”
Locals took to social media to express their reaction to Hobbs’ veto as one of them said: ‘We need to protect our state border! I’m tired of political politics! Do something!!!!!’
“Don’t do anything again, Hobbs,” said another.
“It’s not about closing borders anymore, we need to enforce the laws we currently have,” another commenter posted.
Hobbs previously criticized Biden for failing to secure the southern border and federal reimbursement for state spending on the crisis.
Hobbs attempted to explain the reasons behind his veto, which came despite the flood of migrants who have entered the United States across the southern border since President Joe Biden took office.
Hobbs previously criticized Biden for failing to secure the southern border and called for $500 million in federal reimbursement for state spending on the crisis.
In a letter, the governor requested more than $512 million in federal funds to reimburse state spending on migrant transportation, drug interdiction and law enforcement “due to the federal government’s failure to secure our border.”
Hobbs then criticized the closure of the Lukeville, Arizona crossing, saying it “has led to an absolute humanitarian crisis in the area and has put Arizona’s security and commerce at risk.”
“Our ports of entry are essential to our state and our country’s economy, and it is important that they are adequately staffed and resourced to continue driving economic growth in the state,” he added.
Hobbs called for National Guard members currently on active federal duty to be mobilized to assist border agents in controlling the Lukeville crossing so it can reopen.
The Lukeville crossing was initially closed in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but reopened in January.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people a day have crossed north through the Lukeville port of entry.
The desolate area around the remote crossing has become a global migration route in recent months, with smugglers dropping off people from countries including Senegal, India and China.
The Lukeville crossing was initially closed in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but reopened in January.
The Lukeville crossing was initially closed in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but reopened in January. The desolate area around the remote crossing has become a global migration route in recent months.
Most of them are walking into the U.S. west of Lukeville through gaps in the wall, then turning east toward the official border crossing to surrender to the first agents they see to request asylum, according to the Associated Press.
In a statement, CBP said it was “increasing all available resources to process migrants quickly and safely” and will “continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation.”
The agency blamed the hundreds of people arriving daily in Lukeville on “smugglers trafficking in disinformation to prey on vulnerable people.”
Along with Governor Hobbs, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema criticized the Lukeville closure and demanded better solutions from the Biden administration.
“This is an unacceptable outcome that further destabilizes our border, puts the safety of our communities at risk, and harms our economy by disrupting commerce and tourism,” they said in a joint statement.
An average of 3,140 people in vehicles and 184 pedestrians entered the United States daily at Lukeville during October, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
When it was closed, travelers could still cross to or from the United States through Nogales, Arizona, a three-hour trip east. They were also allowed to pass through St. Louis, a two-hour trip to the west.
Immigrants from the West African nation of Guinea are seen striking a celebratory pose after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on December 7, 2023 in Lukeville, Arizona.
Hobbs called for National Guard members currently on active federal duty to be mobilized to assist border agents in controlling the Lukeville crossing so it can reopen. Pictured: Migrants are processed near Lukeville
More than 8 million asylum seekers will soon live in the United States – an increase of 167% in five years.
The vast majority of the 8 million are now free to roam America’s streets, including 2 million “high priority” cases of career criminals seeking asylum.
The system appears to be struggling to cope with the rapid number of migrants crossing the border, which reached an all-time high of 302,000 monthly crossings in December.
The delay has left millions of immigrants currently residing in the United States unsure whether they will be allowed to stay or simply be deported.
Former President Donald Trump has highlighted the ineffectiveness of the Biden Administration in addressing the issue as a campaign issue.
Republicans continue to push to detain and deport more immigrants just as ICE is forced to consider cuts.