Opinion: ‘Secure the Border Act’ is a paper tiger, for now

The Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature, and who put the “Secure the Border Act” (Proposition 314) on the ballot, were sure of two things.

First, they knew the “Secure the Border Act” would not secure the border.

Second, they knew that calling it the “Secure the Border Act” guaranteed it would pass.

And it did. And it won’t secure the border.

There’s even a possibility that it may never go into effect. Or, if it does, it might be kept from doing irreparable harm by way of lawsuits challenging its constitutionally.

On paper, though, it seems tough.

Among other things, the newly passed law makes it a state crime for migrants to cross Arizona’s southern border. Conviction could lead to six months in jail. And it allows local police to arrest........

© Arizona Republic