HB 2606 would expand local enforcement of border-related laws, jeopardizing the well-being of border communities and Arizonans across the state.
PHOENIX, AZ - On Tuesday, March 26, Pablo Correa, Executive Director of Rural Arizona Action, testified before the Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee to oppose HB2606, a bill proposing a $50 million state allocation to fund local immigration enforcement. The bill has been read for the third time and will be discussed during budget negotiations.
In his statement, Correa warned about the harmful consequences this measure would have on rural and immigrant communities, emphasizing that increasing local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement only fosters distrust and fear.
"Governor Hobbs' willingness to work with an administration that has weaponized border security to retaliate against communities based on race, ethnicity, and immigration status runs counter to the ethos of our nation and undermines the trust communities build with law enforcement to protect against actual crimes," Correa stated in his testimony.
Rural AZ Action and other advocacy organizations have testified against HB 2606 on three separate occasions, highlighting the dangers of intensifying local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill has already passed the Arizona House of Representatives with support from Representative Kevin Volk (D-17).
Governor Katie Hobbs has proposed a $23 million allocation for the same fund in her executive budget. While this amount is lower than the $50 million proposed in HB2606, it still represents an increase compared to last year’s $17 million allocation. According to Christian Slater, a spokesperson for Governor Hobbs, the $23 million figure is not a cap, meaning it could change during final budget negotiations.
“Funneling millions into border enforcement under the guise of public safety empowers a system that violates human rights, tears apart families, and targets people based on race and beliefs. Governor Hobbs must recognize that collaborating with this administration not only puts the citizens of Arizona at risk, but the local law enforcement bodies which would perpetuate these injustices” added Correa.
Rural AZ Action and other community organizations are advocating for a $0 allocation, arguing that these funds should be redirected to programs and initiatives that foster trust rather than fear. Funds to local public safety should focus on community safety rather than immigration enforcement, which can lead to racial profiling and harm public trust.
View full statement here: Video Testimony Against HB 2606
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