PHOENIX — An organization that represents migrants wants a federal judge to immediately block Arizona from enforcing its 2024 voter-approved law that allows state and local police to arrest — and state courts to prosecute and judges to deport — some people who enter the country illegally.
Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union contend that Proposition 314 runs afoul of laws that grant Congress and federal immigration officials the exclusive right to determine how to deal with those in the country illegally.
The result of this state intervention, they are telling U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi, is some border crossers will not have the opportunity to take advantage of defenses available to them under federal law, like seeking asylum.
