Arizonans deserve to vote on ban for sanctuary cities
Arizona is a welcoming state. We’re also one of the most diverse states in the nation. Our rich heritage spans many cultures and ethnicities, from our earliest indigenous settlers to the hundreds of people from all over the country and the world who move here every day.
Like many families in our state, my story is one of mixed heritage. My mom was born in region of Nogales where the boundaries are often blurred with family members living on both American and Mexican sides and later settled in Coolidge; my dad is from Iowa and his family joined many other Midwesterners in Arizona after World War II.
Our family has owned and run a grocery store in Coolidge since 1952 and has flourished in one of the most diverse communities in all of Arizona.
No matter your background, we can all agree: We want to keep Arizona safe, friendly and welcoming to all, which is why I’ve introduced the Law Enforcement
Cooperation Act.
Across the country, a dangerous movement has found fertile ground in places like California, Connecticut and Vermont. In these states and over 500 jurisdictions throughout the nation, politicians catering to radical special interests have passed policies ordering law enforcement to defy federal immigration law — tying the hands of the very men and women charged with upholding the rule of law and protecting the people.
These reckless policies, known as sanctuary cities, undermine the efforts of law enforcement, while setting a dangerous precedent that puts the whims of a few politicians above public safety and the very foundations of law and order that underpin a functioning republic.
Sanctuary cities are more than just risky. They’re costly. That’s because any Arizona city or town that votes to reject federal immigration law sets itself up to lose millions in state and federal resources.
It’s already against Arizona law for any jurisdiction to become a sanctuary city, but that hasn’t stopped outside interest groups from trying. As recently as last year, extremist activists placed a measure on the ballot in Tucson seeking to make that city Arizona’s first immigration sanctuary jurisdiction.
The effort was rejected by 70% of the voters, showing the widespread, bipartisan support for upholding the rule of law (Democrats in Tucson have a 2-to-1 registration advantage over Republicans). But that doesn’t mean the same flawed thinking that led to this measure won’t re-emerge somewhere else in our state.
The Law Enforcement Cooperation Act begins to put an end to these troubling efforts once and for all. The legislation would put on the November ballot an amendment that enshrines current law prohibiting sanctuary cities into our Constitution, giving it voter protection. That makes it harder for outside interests to reverse it.
This is a pro-law enforcement, prolegal immigration amendment that stops bad sanctuary city policies in their tracks.
Most of all, the amendment takes the issue away from politicians and gives the people a voice on whether we want to continue to be a state that says “yes” to the rule of law.
Arizona’s sheriffs are united in support of the Law Enforcement Cooperation Act. It’s also got the backing of Maricopa County Attorney Alister Adel and city leaders from around the state.
With a spirited campaign year ahead, here’s one issue where both sides can say “yes” to public safety, just like Tucson voters did last fall.
Arizona has always been a state that welcomes newcomers. We’re also a state that has proudly supported law enforcement and prioritized public safety. Despite what the radical activists will say, these two positions are not contradictory. In fact, that’s been Arizona since our founding over 108 years ago and it’s been the story of my life as a proud Hispanic Arizonan.
This November, let’s vote to keep California-styled ideas out of Arizona and give the people the opportunity to vote “yes” for public safety and the rule of law and ensure that Arizona will never allow sanctuary cities.