Arizona lawmakers are considering new law to ensure key border state cooperates with new administration’s mass deportation push in response to the question of to what extent states will help Donald Trump’s government.
Senate President Warren Petersen introduced the “Arizona ICE Act,” which would require sheriff’s departments and the Arizona Department of Corrections to sign cooperative agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The cooperation agreement with the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under the controversial federal program 287 (g), would grant immigration agent functions to local police departments, including the identification and detention of a person suspected of being an undocumented immigrant.
“Ending the crisis at the border requires all of us to cooperate. This legislation will allow the federal and state governments to work together to protect our citizens,” Petersen said in statements sent to EFE.
The proposal also seeks to provide additional funds so that police departments can implement state law 314, passed in Arizona during the last November elections.
This law allows police departments to arrest and imprison migrants who have crossed the border irregularly.
The law has not yet taken effect as Arizona awaits the legal future of a similar law passed in Texas that is in the courts.
The Arizona State Sheriffs’ Association has requested at least an additional $50 million in funding from the state Legislature to implement this new measure if it goes into effect.
The Republican Party maintained control of the Arizona state legislature during the last election, which makes it easier for them to advance laws against irregular migration.
Petersen said he hopes Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, will not oppose this bill and “respect” the will of voters by signing the legislation once it reaches her desk.
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