PHOENIX — Arizona state representatives and senators (and one county sheriff) gathered outside of the state capitol in Phoenix on Monday to react to Gov. Katie Hobbs' veto of a border bill.
Gov. Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, also known as the "Arizona Border Invasion Act," on March 4. The bill would have made it a crime to enter the state of Arizona at the border from anywhere other than a lawful port of entry.
The bill would have classified "illegal entry" as a Class 1 misdemeanor and then as a Class 6 felony for repeat offenders. This would created a border-related crime that could have been enforced by local police officers in Arizona, which is a job normally left to federal officials.
In a letter announcing the veto, Gov. Hobbs said SB 1231 presented "constitutional concerns" that could have led to litigation and said that the bill "does not secure our border, will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel."
The group of congressional Republicans speaking outside of the state capitol on Monday called Gov. Hobbs' veto a mistake.
"It is unacceptable that our own governor won’t give Arizona a fighting chance at the border," state Rep. Steve Montenegro (R - Dist. 29) said. "Gov. Hobbs’ veto pen leaves the state of Arizona with no ability to protect its citizens against the invasion at our southern border or to mitigate the damage, the crime, the lives that are being lost, the economic consequences that are being caused because of illegal immigration."
Senate President Warren Petersen (R - Dist. 14) said more immigration bills will be headed to the governor's desk.
"We are not going to abandon Arizona," Petersen said. "And Arizona’s the front line for the rest of our country. So we’re not gonna abandon America. We are going to continue to take this issue, bring solutions and we are going to put solutions on her desk."
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb joined the group at the Capitol, asking for help fighting the influx of migrants coming into Arizona from the southern border.
"We're dealing with this every day, folks," Lamb said. "I'm grateful that we at least have state senators and representatives that are willing to do something about it. And whether you like these bills or not, I'm telling you firsthand experience, we need these bills in this state if we're going to protect our own state."
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