TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Border security could soon become part of state law under Prop 314, the Secure Borders Act.

Even some of those who want to implement it acknowledge that it is a burden, and opponents say it will cause more problems than expected.

There is no funding provided in Proposition 314 to support the arrest, imprisonment, and trial of those targeted by the law. Criticism of the Border Patrol’s work could now await police officers and sheriff’s deputies.

“On one level, I think the outcome is because voters just want the state of Arizona to do something. Our position, you know, we are against Proposition 314,” said Noah Schramm, border policy strategist for ACLU of Arizona.

Schramm raised the concern of making crossing the border anywhere other than a legal point of entry a state crime, like a misdemeanor the first time and a felony thereafter, under the responsibility of law enforcement. state and local authorities.

“We believe that the actual elements of Proposition 314 will end up doing much more harm than good and will have many unintended or even unintended effects, for example racial profiling or family separation,” Schramm said.

“We’re getting into the federal government’s immigration game, something we should never get involved in, I’ll be the first to say that,” said Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels.

But Dannels will enforce Prop 314 if it passes, which seems likely. The border control part won’t take effect until a similar law in Texas clears the courts, and Dannels expects President-elect Donald Trump can take action and ease the pressure of a proposal without funding.

“My first thing I will do when President Trump takes office is to revisit this issue with his team at the Department of Homeland Security. Where are you guys on this, if not sooner, if the opportunity arises sooner, I will answer it on behalf of our American sheriffs because they need to step back from this game and fix it. They broke it, they need to fix it,” Dannels said.

Dannels said he also spoke to the governor’s office about funding the state would provide and hoped the Legislature would support it.

The law also prohibits those who are here illegally from using false identification for public purposes and applying for employment. The illegal sale of fentanyl that kills someone is also part of this proposal.

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