Proposition 314, Arizona's border measure, is likely to pass

PHOENIX — Proposition 314, a Republican-backed border security measure that would make entering Arizona from Mexico outside of a legal port of entry a state crime, appeared set to pass Tuesday night.

The measure, also called the Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure, received 61.3% support from about 1.7 million votes reported by the Arizona Secretary of State's Office just after 8 p.m.

Opponents have compared Prop 314 to SB1070, Arizona's controversial show-me-your-papers law that was passed in 2010 and partially overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Republicans in the state legislature brought the border measure to a vote after Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill in March that partially addressed the same issue.

What would Proposition 314 do in Arizona?

Entering the U.S. outside of a port of entry is already a federal crime, subject to deportation by federal judges.

Proposition 314 would give state and local law enforcement officials the authority to arrest people for crossing the border illegally. It would also give Arizona judges the authority to issue deportation orders for anyone convicted of crossing the border illegally who refuses to leave the country.

According to the measure's language, Arizona's illegal border crossing provision would take effect only if federal courts uphold a similar Texas law that is still under judicial review.

Proposition 314 includes more than just border crossing restrictions. It also:

• Increased penalties for selling fentanyl causing death.
• Requires social programs to verify immigration status.
• Cracks down on employment status verification.

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