Arizona Senate passes immigration measure HCR 2060
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Immigration Measure HCR 2060, also called the “Secure the Border Act,” has been officially passed by the Arizona Senate on Wednesday.
In a 16 to 13 vote, with one senator not voting, some of the topics of discussion were how exactly local law enforcement officers could arrest those who cross the border illegally and DACA receipts.
Emotions were high Wednesday in the Senate chambers as the “Secure the Border Act” passed.
Some are against the measure like Democratic Senator Brian Fernandez, who voted against it and is one of the senators who represents Yuma County.
“The measure will not make it safer, it will not save us money, it will costs us unnecessary and irreversible harm," said Senator Brian Fernandez (D-Arizona) District 23.
Another senator representing Yuma County, Republican Sine Kerr, has voted in favor.
“It discourages that illegal entry between legal ports of entry, that is what this is about. We hear we talk about those gotaways," said Senator Sine Kerr (R-Arizona) District 25.
The resolution is meant to secure the southern border by allowing local law enforcement officers to arrest those who cross the border illegally.
The San Luis Police Department has been working with Border Patrol for at least the last 15 years helping secure the southern border through a grant saying if passed there wouldn’t be a major shift in their mission.
“What would happen in those cases is we would probably have those officers working under the Operation Stonegarden and funds maybe be the ones that focus directly to help out, you know, in helping out Border Patrol," said Lt. Emanuel Botello, San Luis Police Department Investigations Division.
Another hot topic, DACA recipents, many saying HCR 2060 would threaten their status.
“To not be construed to be applied to the conduct of any person who entered this state unlawfully from a foreign nation at any time this section becomes enforceable, it's very important to me that we are not trying to apply this to DACA individuals," said Senator Ken Bennett (R-Arizona) District 1.
The resolution is meant to tackle the fentanyl crisis and use the E-Verify program to confirm a person is legally present in the U.S. before receiving public assistance.
The Arizona House of Representatives will vote on this resolution next month after they return from recess.
One local representative shared what he is focused on.
“Another big part of this is the fentanyl. It steps up the fines and the incarceration requirements. It really goes after fentanyl, making sure that we can put the bad guys that are trying to kill our families and our friends," said Rep. Tim Dunn (R-Arizona) District 25.
If the Arizona House passes it, the resolution will be on the November ballot.
