Arizona’s legislature is set to vote on a controversial bill that would pay police $2,500 for every undocumented immigrant they help deport. The so-called “bounty bill” would be funded by taxing international money transfers and is likely to pass the state’s Republican-controlled house and senate.
Supporters, like Republican Senator Jake Hoffman, claim the bill rewards officers for tackling illegal immigration, a cause backed by many Arizona voters. However, critics, including civil rights groups, warn it could fuel racial profiling and distract police from local law enforcement duties.
Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches her desk. To override the veto, the legislature would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers — a difficult feat without Democratic support.
The move aligns with broader efforts by Trump-aligned Republicans to involve local law enforcement in immigration enforcement. Similar proposals to pay civilian bounty hunters $1,000 per capture were recently rejected in Mississippi and appear likely to fail in Missouri.
Arizona has a history of using local police for immigration enforcement, most notably under former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who pushed the “show me your papers” law.
In November, Arizona voters approved a measure to make illegal border crossings a state crime, though it’s currently on hold pending an appeals court decision.
Senate Democrats condemned the bounty bill, calling it a “racist throwback to the Wild West.” As the vote approaches, all eyes are on whether Republicans can gather enough support to push the bill through — or if the governor’s veto will stand.
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