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Critics say 'Secure the Border Act' could make Arizona children fear immigration raids, family deportations

Some say HCR 2060 could have a detrimental impact on children due to fear that they might lose their family members to deportation or be deported themselves.

PHOENIX — Some Arizona organizations that oppose HCR 2060, or the Secure the Border Act, warn that it could negatively impact children in the state.

Joseph Garcia, Vice President of Public Policy at Chicanos Por La Causa, said if put into effect, HCR 2060 would have a negative impact family and their children. 

Joseph Garcia compared the measure to SB1070, which passed almost 15 years ago and was struck down by the Supreme Court.

“The proponents of [HCR 2060] are trying to act like it is not going to have an impact, except on people crossing the border, which is not true,” Joseph Garcia said. “We know from HCR 2060 they have already implemented in there is an immunity clause against law enforcement officers who break the law while trying to enforce HCR 2060.”

RELATED: How much will it cost Arizona taxpayers to enforce the 'Secure the Border Act?' One group says too much.

The Secure Our Border Act makes it a state crime to enter the U.S. illegally.

Points include but are not limited to:

  • Creating new laws for illegal border crossings
  • Granting immunity to government entities, officials, or employees enforcing immigration laws from civil liabilities
  • Requiring the Arizona Department of Corrections to accept those arrested for illegal entry
  • Making the use of false documents a felony
  • Requires use of the Synthetic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program for administering public benefits
  • Establishes harsher publishments for those selling fentanyl that result in death

Joseph Garcia said this measure would have a detrimental impact on children due to fear that they might lose their family members to deportation or be deported themselves. 

“If they live in fear, they're not focusing on learning,” Joseph Garcia said.

Joseph Garcia alluded to a 2011 study done by the University of Arizona which examined the impact of SB 1070 on Arizona’s Youth.

“There was an impact, because parents believed that their children were going to be deported or arrested or there's going to be school raids because of law enforcement, and because of that, parents weren't dealing as much with education issues," Joseph Garcia said.

Marisol Garcia, President of the Education Association, also shared her concerns about the measure, which she said would impact children's ability to learn due to "heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric, fears about immigration raids, [and] concerns about possible detention or deportation of family members."

Marisol Garcia stated that HCR 2060 "could also allow for immigration raids on school campuses, even during school hours" and said kids could also end up in the juvenile justice system because of how their family members came into the U.S.

Rep. Ben Toma who sponsored the bill responded to concerns from the AEA and said they were erroneous.

“It is a deceptive and unfounded claim that is obviously intended to scare people. Nothing in the language would allow that and it’s irresponsible for an organization to spread such misinformation.”

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