AZ Court Clears Immigration Ballot Measure

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that Proposition 314, a controversial measure making illegal border crossings a state crime, will appear on the November ballot. If passed, local law enforcement would gain the authority to arrest and detain illegal aliens, and state judges would have the power to order deportations. It would also criminalize the sale of fentanyl leading to death and mandate the use of the E-Verify program to determine eligibility for public benefits. Opponents argue the measure promotes racial profiling and combines unrelated issues, but the court upheld it under the single-subject rule. This measure is similar to laws proposed in Texas and other states, which have faced legal challenges due to federal jurisdiction over immigration. The decision has sparked debate, with advocacy groups warning it could harm immigrant communities and increase scrutiny and policing.