Phoenix, Arizona – Arizona lawmakers passed a contentious immigration referendum inspired by Texas on Tuesday, setting the stage for a heated debate leading up to the November ballot. The measure, mirroring Texas’s Senate Bill 4 and Louisiana’s recent law, proposes directing law enforcement agencies to arrest individuals who cross the border illegally.

This move reflects a broader trend seen in other states like Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia, where similar measures have been adopted to penalize and report undocumented immigrants. The Arizona referendum, known as the Secure the Border Act, seeks to make crossing the border illegally a state crime, allowing state judges to order deportations and imposing new penalties on those fraudulently receiving public benefits or working without authorization.

The political implications of the referendum are significant in a swing state like Arizona, with Republicans hoping to mobilize voters critical of President Biden’s border security policies. However, Democrats fear that the proposal may be perceived as extreme and could ignite opposition from the same groups that helped them secure victories in 2020 by opposing controversial immigration-related bills.

Critics argue that the referendum is a desperate attempt by Republicans to boost voter turnout in a crucial election year, where their thin legislative majorities hang in the balance. Concerns have also been raised about potential racial profiling and unintended consequences on families with mixed citizenship statuses.

The constitutionality of these measures is likely to be challenged in court, with opponents arguing that the laws encroach on federal authority on immigration enforcement. Additionally, the implementation of such laws could come at a steep cost to the state, providing further fodder for debate among lawmakers.

As tensions continue to rise, both Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a fierce battle over immigration policy in Arizona, underscoring the deep divide on how best to address border security issues. The outcome of this referendum will not only impact the state’s approach to immigration but also serve as a litmus test for the broader national debate on this contentious issue.