AZ’s business, community leaders must defend our image, economy from damaging anti-immigrant bill

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Senator Catherine Miranda released the following statement on anti-immigrant bill SB1377 (sentence enhancements; unlawful presence; release), which will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety committee at 9 a.m. tomorrow in HHR5.

Sen. Miranda

"In the six years since SB1070 devastated Arizona's reputation, damaged our economy and violated the trust of Hispanics, we have managed to heal that self-inflicted wound through the hard work of our business and community leaders. But moving its way through the Legislature is a new bill that would rip open that wound, announce to the world that our state doesn't welcome immigrants and undermine efforts to improve relations with Mexico - our largest trading partner," said Senator Miranda.

"SB1377 would force Arizona judges to ignore their best judgement and give mandatory increased sentences to any undocumented immigrant convicted of a crime. It would also cost taxpayers their hard-earned dollars to cover the additional cost of the longer sentence, which would have to be served in state facilities instead of being transferred to federal facilities halfway through their sentence as is current practice.

"It is my sincere hope that the community and business leaders who have worked so hard to repair Arizona's image in the wake of SB1070 will speak out against SB1377 and defend our state's reputation as a business and tourist destination that welcomes everyone."