A vote on a controversial Arizona border security bill has been delayed due to concerns raised by a Republican lawmaker. The bill, modeled after Texas’ controversial SB 4, aims to enforce federal border security laws and criminalize illegal border crossings. However, Republican State Sen. Ken Bennett objected to language in the bill regarding recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), arguing that their legal status could change if the program is canceled. Bennett’s vote is crucial as the Republican-led state senate has a narrow majority and cannot afford defections. The bill’s passing is further complicated by the absence of another Republican state senator. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs also opposes the bill, arguing that it would harm businesses and law enforcement personnel. Republican lawmakers are planning to put a new version of the bill on the November ballot.
The bill, known as HCR 2060, or the Secure the Border Act, was scheduled for a vote in the Arizona Senate but was held up by Bennett. He voiced objections to language in the bill that states that the legal status of children who were brought to the U.S. illegally could change if the DACA program is ever canceled. Bennett argued that he does not want anything in the bill that could be applied retrospectively to DACA recipients who received their status between 2012 and 2021.
Bennett’s vote is crucial because the Republican-led state senate has a narrow majority and cannot afford any defections, especially given the universal Democratic opposition to the legislation. The bill’s passing is further complicated by the absence of Republican State Sen. Justine Wadsack, who was forced to miss the vote while attending to a family emergency in California.
Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has also voiced her opposition to the bill, arguing that it would do little to “secure our border.” She stated that the bill would be harmful to businesses and communities in the state and would burden law enforcement personnel. Hobbs vetoed a similar piece of legislation in March that made it a state crime to illegally cross the border, prompting Republican lawmakers to pass a new version of the bill that would land on the ballot of Arizona voters in November.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen expressed optimism that the legislation would ultimately pass, telling Fox News Digital that he believed Bennett’s concerns had been addressed and that Wadsack would be able to return in time for a vote next week. Petersen clarified that DACA recipients would be exempt from the bill’s provisions, addressing Bennett’s concern. Petersen argued that the bill was a valid solution to the state’s border security woes, noting the differences between the current legislation and a controversial 2010 Arizona law known as SB 1070, which eventually had portions struck down by the Supreme Court in 2012. Petersen emphasized that the current bill is focused on border security and not immigration.
Bennett’s office did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
