Arizona bishops oppose proposed state crackdown against illegal immigration

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent detains camouflaged Mexican migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border on Nov. 4, 2022, near Naco, Arizona. / Credit: John Moore/Getty Images

Houston, Texas, Sep 5, 2024 / 18:04 pm (CNA).

The Catholic bishops of Arizona have come out against a ballot initiative that would criminalize illegal immigration at the state level and strengthen state border enforcement. 

Arizona citizens will be voting on the measure, which is titled the Arizona Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure, or simply Proposition 314, as part of this November’s election.

Though they expressed “frustration about the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border,” the state’s four Catholic bishops said in a statement that the proposition would have “harmful consequences.”

The bishops asserted that border enforcement is a federal not state issue and that if passed the result of the measure would be that “dangerous criminals will not be apprehended, and public safety will be threatened.”

What would the proposition do?

If passed, the proposition would make it a state crime for migrants to enter Arizona from any location other than an official port of entry. The measure would also authorize state and local police to arrest illegal migrants and allow state judges to order deportations.

Additionally, the measure would require officials to determine the immigration status of individuals before being enrolled in financial aid or public welfare programs. Individuals who violate the measure by submitting false information to evade detection of employment eligibility or to apply for public benefits would face Class 6 felony charges.

Lastly, the measure would make it a Class 2 felony for a person to knowingly sell fentanyl that results in the death of another person.

What are the bishops saying?

The Arizona bishops said that “the reality is that its passage will create real fear within Arizona communities that will have harmful consequences.”

The bishops claimed that by “having state and local law enforcement responsible for enforcing what should be the role of federal immigration authorities, many crime victims and witnesses will be afraid to go to law enforcement and report crimes.”

“Immigration by its nature is a national issue and the regulation of immigration extends beyond the purview of individual states,” the bishops said. “Rather than holding the federal government accountable, Proposition 314 will only create further disorder and confusion, placing unworkable and unrealistic expectations on state judicial officers and law enforcement personnel.”

Despite their opposition to the state measure, the Arizona bishops hold that “comprehensive immigration reform” is sorely needed from the federal government.

Bishop Edward Weisenburger of Tucson said in a video released by the bishops that “the federal government needs to do a much better job at managing our border and providing comprehensive immigration reform.”

“The lack of a federal solution to challenges faced by both vulnerable asylum seekers and American communities is sorely needed and long overdue,” Weisenburger said.