Republicans are pushing beyond total abortion bans and expanding attacks on reproductive freedoms to further control and punish women
WASHINGTON — The Arizona Republican-led Senate passed a controversial and partisan ballot measure proposal that could lead to racial profiling by allowing local law enforcement to arrest people who they suspect are undocumented immigrants. The measure is a clear copycat of Texas’ notorious SB 4 bill and a revival of Arizona’s infamous 2010 “show me your papers law,” which was mostly struck down after costly litigation. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs already vetoed a similar proposal earlier this year, but Republicans are now trying to circumvent her veto through a ballot measure. They’ve even written this proposal in a way that ensures that even if they lose legislative control, they can defend the measure in court – signaling they know their days in power are numbered.
This dangerous ballot measure is the latest in Arizona Republicans’ extreme policies vilifying immigrant communities. Earlier this year, Arizona GOP lawmakers advanced a bill that would have allowed people to legally shoot and kill undocumented migrants, or anybody, who crosses their land. Arizona Republicans’ extremism knows no bounds, and they are clearly out of step with Arizona communities. Democrats are just two seats away in each chamber from gaining control of the legislature – Arizona represents the top flip opportunity this cycle, and the DLCC is leaving nothing to chance.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Press Secretary Sam Paisley issued the following statement:
“Arizona Republicans have made clear that a cornerstone of their agenda is weaponizing the border and vilifying immigrants. This year alone, Arizona Republicans have attempted to open the door to lawfully killing migrant trespassers and empowering local law enforcement to unconstitutionally arrest suspected undocumented immigrants. These proposals are disgusting and make Arizona less safe. Instead of advancing real policies to serve Arizonans, Republicans are using a tired playbook of scapegoating immigrants in a desperate final attempt to retain their grip on power.
“The only way to stop this crusade of anti-immigrant hate and advance actual solutions on the border is to elect common-sense Democrats to the state legislature. Democrats are only two seats away in each chamber from winning legislative majorities, and the DLCC is leaving nothing to chance to flip legislative control in Arizona in 2024.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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