Arizona Republicans have proposed a bill that establishes a system resembling a bounty, wherein law enforcement agencies would receive a reward of $2,500 for apprehending undocumented immigrants and facilitating their deportation.
“What it does is it empowers our local law enforcement officials to apprehend and transport to federal law enforcement illegal criminal aliens so they can be adjudicated and deported,” state Senator Jake Hoffman, the bill’s sponsor, said, per Arizona Family.
Why It Matters
Arizona, like many other states, is considering the implementation of bills aimed at enforcing President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.
In the state’s election, Trump emerged victorious, while Democrat Ruben Gallego secured the Senate seat by defeating Republican Kari Lake.
Immigration played a vital role in President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, contributing to the Republicans’ success in gaining power nationwide. According to a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll, both Democrats and Republicans recognize that the immigration system is flawed. However, there is a divergence of opinions among Americans regarding the implementation of policies like deportations.
What To Know
According to Hoffman, the state legislation is in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
After confirming the person’s deportation, the agencies will receive these funds.
Hoffman suggests implementing a financial incentive for local and state law enforcement agencies in Arizona. This would be funded through a newly proposed “illegal alien remittance fee” on international wire transfers.
“What we don’t want are criminal illegal aliens on our streets. So in line with the wildly popular mass deportation that President Trump is currently engaging in, we are going to ensure that our law enforcement is doing its job to support that effort and make sure our streets are safe,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman, a Republican from Queen Creek, stated that his bill intends to help local law enforcement in backing federal deportation efforts, while also utilizing funds sent abroad by migrants.
SB 1111 suggests creating a deportation fund by implementing a tax on foreign wire transfers to finance the initiative.
According to the bill, if you transfer an amount of money that is under $500, you will be taxed $25. However, if you transfer an amount that is over $500, you will be charged a fee of $25 plus 5% of the total transferred sum.
Hoffman, a strong conservative in the state Legislature and chairman of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, has given his proposal the name “bounty bill.”
Arizona Democrats are pushing back against the proposal, arguing that the public does not endorse the idea of transforming law enforcement officials into bounty hunters.
What People Are Saying
According to Calli Jones, the Director of Communications for the Arizona Senate Democrats, Republican Senator Jake Hoffman has proposed a bill that would mandate the tracking and taxation of wire transfers made by Arizona residents. Additionally, the bill would establish a bounty system to incentivize law enforcement to target undocumented immigrants. Jones emphasizes that while border security is important to Arizonans, nobody voted for law enforcement officers to become bounty hunters.
Jones expressed his concerns, stating that the current rise in inflation demands action to lower costs, protect consumers, and boost the economy. According to him, SB1111 fails to address these issues and does not contribute to improving the lives of the people in the state.
According to Melina Arellano, a representative from the human rights organization Puente AZ, individuals may refrain from seeking help or working with the police due to the fear that police involvement could result in their deportation and the separation of their families.
“There’s absolutely no chance that the Governor will approve a tax increase, especially one that unfairly targets law-abiding citizens who have contributed to their communities for many years,” stated Christian Slater, spokesperson for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.
“Arizonans prioritize border security rather than turning dedicated law enforcement officers into bounty hunters.”
What Happens Next
The Senate Government Committee is scheduled to review Senate Bill 1111 on Thursday. If it receives a majority vote, the bill could progress further.