NOGALES, Ariz. (KVOA) — During the 2024 general election, Arizona voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 314, a bill that gives state and local law enforcement the power to enforce immigration laws.
In Nogales, many residents have contacted police departments and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office with questions and concerns about what the law means for the border town.
Voters in southern Arizona approved Proposition 314, which would require local police departments to enforce immigration laws, raising concerns about racial profiling and a lack of funding for enforcement as law enforcement agencies prepare for the changes.
“Honestly, it’s business as usual here in the city of Nogales,” said Nogales Police Chief Victor Jimenez.
Jimenez said he does not envision a scenario in which officers would have to enforce immigration laws because of the large Border Patrol presence in the city.
Nogales City Councilman Saulo Bonilla (R) has also heard concerns from many constituents who fear the law opens the door to discrimination.
“They call it a racist law,” Bonilla said.
Bonilla said he feels the law does not allow for any discrimination and is trying to explain his thoughts to those concerned.
Concerns about racial discrimination date back to SB-1070 in 2010. The law was widely criticized for creating an environment of racial discrimination and was ultimately blocked in court.
Bonilla does not believe that Prop 314 is a shadow of SB-1070.
Chief Jimenez said there is absolutely no racism and he does not expect any change.
“We have no intention of taking any additional steps that could even be misconstrued as racial profiling,” he said.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway isn’t convinced that will happen. He has some concerns about the bill and questions why it was allowed on the ballot.
“Our officials have no training in immigration issues and it’s a whole other ball of wax,” Hathaway said.
He believes he will continue to face legal challenges, but he worries about how it would affect the budget if it becomes national law.
The proposal did not include a plan for how the results would be funded.
“No funds related to federal issues come into my office,” he said.
Proposition 314 includes language that increases penalties for selling fentanyl, which Hathaway believes is why it received widespread support.
Proposition 314 was approved by more than 62% of voters statewide and was supported by a wide margin in heavily Democratic Santa Cruz County, which has a large Hispanic population.
News 4 Tucson’s Chief Investigative Reporter Corus Nylander spoke with Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, who supports the premise of Proposition 314.
Sheriff Dannels said the widespread support shows a majority of voters recognize the need.
“I support the reason why this bill was passed, because the state has been through difficult times. The reason behind this bill is that the federal government has not done its job,” he said. Ta.
He said he agrees with Sheriff Hathaway on the funding issue and has spoken with council officials who have promised to resolve it.
But Sheriff Dannels strongly believes that the idea behind 314 is less necessary under Donald Trump’s administration. He hopes the federal government has enough resources, but feels Prop 314 is a good tool just in case.
“We still have the ability to protect our people, and that’s why we use this bill to do that,” he said.
The future of Prop. 314 remains uncertain, and an ongoing lawsuit over a similar bill in Texas must yield results before it becomes law.
It may take more than 60 days.
