Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetoes Republican Senate Bill That Would Punish Illegal Border Crossers

The Arizona governor continued to play both sides of the border crisis with a veto that critics said made her “Biden's accomplice.”

Just months after Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) called out the president for not securing the border, she took action against her legislature's attempt to do so with her first veto of the year.

In a letter issued to the Republican president of the Senate, state Sen. Warren Petersen, the governor said that the bill that would punish illegal entry into the country with a fine and six months in prison for the first offense “did not ensure the border”. .”

“Today, I vetoed Senate Bill 1231. This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful to our state's communities and businesses, and burdensome on law enforcement personnel and the state court system,” he said. claimed. “Furthermore, this bill presents significant constitutional concerns and is certain to plunge the state into costly and protracted litigation.”

Hobbs also took to social media to share his stamp of approval on the bill, saying, “As I said last week, anti-immigration legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state. Today I'm keeping my promise and veto Senate Bill 1231. This bill does not secure our border.”

Anti-immigration legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state. SB1231 does not secure our border. Instead, it demonizes our communities, hurts businesses and farmers, and overwhelms law enforcement and our justice system.

I know there is frustration with the… pic.twitter.com/JyGSpvr9tj

— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) March 5, 2024

“On the contrary, it will be harmful to our state's communities and businesses and a burden on law enforcement personnel,” the executive argued. “I know there is frustration with the federal government's failure to secure our border. But this bill is not the solution.”

State Sen. Janae Shamp (D), who co-sponsored the legislation, invoked the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley as she responded to Hobbs on behalf of Arizonans “who were torn apart by similar devastation.” .

“The Legislature did their job to protect our citizens, but Governor Hobbs didn't do his,” Shamp said. “Vetoing the Arizona Border Encroachment Act is a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing on our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Biden's accomplice.”

“Arizonaans want and deserve safe communities. Our local, county and state law enforcement officers are calling for help and supporting this legislation to protect our citizens,” the senator continued. “Their blood, sweat and tears shed as they try to keep our communities safe from the staggering number of border-related crimes plaguing our state will not be in vain. The Republican-controlled Legislature will continue to prioritize closing our border and provide law enforcement with the tools they need. This veto is a slap in the face to them, Arizona's victims of border-related crimes, and other citizens who will inevitably feel the wrath of this border incursion in a way , shape or form at the hands of Hobbs and Biden.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs blocks Senate Republican bill protecting Arizonans from border-related crimes pic.twitter.com/pMgyTEiBgX

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) March 4, 2024

In December, Hobbs had deployed the National Guard at the US-Mexico border as part of SECURE operations after the Lukeville port of entry was closed. In doing so, he also asked for more than $500 million in reimbursement from the federal government with the intention of seeking more, as his concern appeared to be based on the budget and managing “the flow of migrants” rather than prevent what has been widely described as an invasion of America.

Others voiced their own disapproval of Hobbs' veto when they accused the governor of “threatening all our lives!”

You are a disgrace and dangerous!

You are threatening all our lives!

You just vetoed legislation passed to protect us!

You are anti-American!

You should be in jail!

to resign

— HenriettaTheGreat (@HenriettaGreat) March 5, 2024

Well god forbid you do what Abbott did on his border. I wouldn't want the flow of illegals to slow down

— RT (@RDog861) March 5, 2024

We need to follow Texas' example and close the AZ border. No more invasion!

— AllyinTucson (@Rockinthe60z) March 5, 2024

Close the border! You cost too much in Arizona. We can't rely on you to protect us.#RecallKatieHobbs

— K. Brett Boswell (@TheBoz46) March 5, 2024

I'm glad you're against it. This will seal your defeat in a few years.

— Concerned Citizen (@Concern68023171) March 5, 2024

Staff writer

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College, where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and seeker of truth, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and dog, and when he's not researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel ·the.

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