Arizona Republicans abandon sanctuary city ban

Proposal sought to add ban to state constitution

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Doug Ducey and Republicans in the Arizona state legislature have pulled a controversial proposal to add a ban on sanctuary city policies to the state constitution.

Republicans had hoped to make the proposal a ballot initiative and have voters decide the matter in November. A hearing on the issue was scheduled for Friday in the state House of Representatives, but Republicans announced their decision to end their efforts Thursday night.

A Senate hearing on the issue last week turned into a shouting match. Activists who called the proposal racist were actually removed from that hearing.

The Governor's office, and Republican leaders in the House and Senate all released similar statements on the decision. All reminded community leaders that sanctuary cities are illegal in Arizona. They also said they would work to keep sanctuary policies out of the state.