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0x132@0x132·Jun 05

A controversial proposal to give local and state police the power to enforce immigration law will appear on Arizona ballots this fall after Republicans at the state legislature voted in favor of the proposal against opposition from Democrats, Latino rights groups and the business community.

Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives approved HCR 2060 Tuesday, two weeks after the Senate approved the measure on a party-line vote. If approved by voters, it would make it a state crime to enter Arizona from Mexico outside of a designated port of entry, something that’s already illegal under federal law, but can’t be locally enforced.

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    0x132@0x132·Jun 05

    House Republicans closed the public gallery prior to the vote, instead requiring members of the public to watch the debate on televisions in separate rooms. Rep. Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert) pointed to security concerns,** citing protests that disrupted a Senate hearing** on the same bill. 

    But critics said that’s a double standard, pointing to raucous conduct by people opposed to a repeal of the state’s near-total abortion ban who were allowed to stay in the gallery in May.](https://x.com/WayneSchutsky/status/1785701872978079891)**.)

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