Arizona Republicans Abandon Border Security, State Lawmakers Reignite the Shameful SB1070 Era

Republicans default to fear tactics in favor of solutions at the border

ARIZONA– This week, national Republicans have again killed bipartisan legislation meant to improve border security at the same time state Republican lawmakers introduced a wave of new legislation that harkened back to S.B. 1070, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court over a decade ago. Both instances demonstrate the Arizona Republican agenda– doing Donald Trump’s bidding and criminalizing immigrant communities.

“The MAGA-Republican agenda is dangerous and divisive, and the state legislation being proposed is an attempt to roll Arizona back to darker times,” said Arizona Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano. “We deserve to live in a state where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, and where people have the opportunity to work hard for a better life. Arizona Republicans on the national and local level are more worried about winning the favor of Donald Trump than they are about delivering results for Arizonans. Arizonans mobilized around SB 1070, bringing in a wave of Democratic leadership and we will do it again.” 

Republicans have now attempted twice to kill the bipartisan border legislation. Earlier this month, national Republicans were directed by Donald Trump to stall the legislation as it would be hurtful for his reelection campaign. Within the same week, national Republicans worked to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, potentially further complicating existing issues, and Arizona Republican Rep. Ciscomani took selfies at the border. 

This week in the Arizona legislature, extremist Republicans advanced a slate of bills (HB2748, SB1231, HCR2060) aimed at reviving the SB1070 era in Arizona. All three bills passed on party-line votes, with all Arizona Republicans voting yes on these measures.

“This Republican majority is trying to turn back time in Arizona, to a harmful and dangerous era. Policies like SB1070 made Arizona a place where targeted racial profiling in immigrant communities was commonplace and where Arizona lost millions in business revenue and jobs which damaged Arizona’s economy.  Over a decade later, Republicans are trying to pass legislation with the same goals in mind,” said ADLCC Board Co-Chair Senator Priya Sundareshan. “Instead of fearmongering,  Republicans of all levels of government should stop playing games and find real solutions.  When Democrats take the majority, there will be no place for this type of disgraceful policy.”

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