Reyna Montoya was devastated when she learned that Arizona voters had approved the “secure our border” initiative on 5 November.
Proposition 314, which is on the ballot, aims to address the issue of unauthorized border crossings between the US and Mexico. This measure would make it a state crime to cross the border without proper authorization.
It grants local officials the authority to arrest and deport individuals who engage in unauthorized border crossings. Additionally, the proposition seeks to strengthen penalties for unauthorized immigrants who apply for public benefits.
The initiative takes inspiration from a Texas law that is currently facing legal challenges. Certain important provisions of the initiative will be put on hold until the Texas law, or a similar one, is given the green light to be implemented.
In a recent development, President Trump has confirmed his intention to use the US military for carrying out large-scale deportations. This announcement has raised concerns and sparked a debate regarding the role of the military in immigration enforcement.
The move comes as part of the administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and secure the country’s borders.
However, critics argue that involving the military in such operations raises questions about the militarization of immigration enforcement and the potential violation of human rights.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the immigration landscape in the United States.
However, if fully implemented, immigrant rights groups are concerned that this measure could potentially strengthen Donald Trump’s commitment to carry out the “largest deportation operation in American history” and empower local law enforcement agencies to assist in the removal of up to 11 million individuals residing in the United States.
As the founder of the Phoenix-based non-profit Aliento, Montoya has been dedicated to supporting undocumented individuals and their families.
In recent days, she has been focused on providing reassurance and guidance to her employees, friends, and clients, ensuring that they understand their rights during this uncertain time. Despite her concerns for her own safety, Montoya remains committed to helping others.
Montoya, who has been granted a temporary legal permit to remain in the US, expressed her biggest fear of being rounded up and placed in a detention center herself.
She fears that the Trump administration will revoke her permit, causing her to live in constant uncertainty. This is the harsh reality that she and many undocumented people wake up to every day. Fear is something that many of us are well acquainted with.
This year’s initiative bears a striking resemblance to SB1070, a state measure that gained notoriety 14 years ago as the “show me your papers” law. This law criminalized undocumented individuals in the state and authorized law enforcement to request “papers” from anyone they found suspicious.
“It caused immense emotional trauma,” Montoya expressed, reflecting on her personal experience as an undocumented individual during the implementation of the law. “The overwhelming anxiety, uncertainty, and stress were all too real.”
In the past, Joe Arpaio, the tough sheriff of Maricopa county, gained a reputation as the “Donald Trump of Arizona” for his strong stance against undocumented immigrants.
He utilized the authority granted by SB1070 to conduct “round-ups” in Latino communities near Phoenix. During these operations, his deputies apprehended numerous individuals without concrete evidence of criminal behavior.
Montoya, who arrived in the US as a child without legal authorization, recalls the overwhelming fear she experienced while driving to school every day.
“I can still vividly remember the intense anxiety I felt at every stop sign, counting slowly to five ‘Mississippis’ to avoid giving any reason for police officers to pull me over,” she shared. “Surviving those moments required an arsenal of survival skills.”
According to Montoya, the detrimental effects of Arpaio’s focus on rounding up immigrants extended beyond just the immigrants themselves. While working with the Department of Homeland Security, his efforts to target immigrants resulted in a neglect of investigations into violent crimes, including sex crimes.
This lack of attention to public safety had a significant impact on the community. Additionally, businesses that had previously relied on undocumented workers faced challenges in finding and hiring staff, further exacerbating the economic consequences.
Moreover, the hospitality and tourism industry in the state suffered an additional blow due to boycotts from cities and businesses that opposed Arizona’s harsh immigration policies.
Almost 15 years ago, the enactment of SB1070 marked a significant turning point in Arizona’s political landscape. The policy stirred up anger and feelings of betrayal, fueling a strong resistance movement that motivated a new generation of young Latinos and immigrants, including Montoya, to take action.
Over the course of more than a decade, they tirelessly campaigned to dismantle the law and remove its staunchest supporters from power. They took to the streets in protest and fought legal battles in the courts.
Their efforts also mobilized tens of thousands of voters of color, who played a crucial role in transforming the traditionally deep-red state into a fiercely contested political battleground. Additionally, many of these activists successfully ran for public office themselves.
In a moment of triumph, Montoya and her fellow activists rejoiced as Arizona underwent a transformative shift, with the state electing a Democrat as president after a 24-year hiatus and securing Democratic majorities in the state legislature for the first time since 1966. This victory followed the previous election where the state voted out Arpaio from office.
“We were filled with immense pride because we achieved our goal: we successfully removed the individuals who had targeted our community,” expressed Raquel Terán, a former Arizona house of representatives and state senate member. She began her political journey as an organizer, actively opposing SB1070 and the extremist politicians who supported it.
However, there was also a growing backlash against these policies. People started demanding stricter immigration enforcement due to the rising number of migrants at the US southern border.
Trump and his supporters began using increasingly xenophobic language. In the summer, the state supreme court dismissed a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 314.
The election results dealt a heavy blow to long-time organizers in Arizona. Terán, expressing her emotions, described the impact as “feeling really heavy.” She shared her struggle to process the outcome, sometimes even freezing in disbelief, overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all.
In the same election where Arizonans approved Proposition 314 and elected Trump, who campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and promoted the notion that migrants are “poisoning the blood” of our country, there exists a dissonance, she pointed out.
However, it is worth noting that Arizonans also elected Ruben Gallego as their senator, supporting a young, Latino politician who started his political career alongside Téran and the anti-SB1070 generation.
Arizonans’ perceptions of the economy played a significant role in the election, just like in other states. However, polls indicated that Arizonans from all walks of life and political backgrounds were united in their desire for the government to address the immigration system and the influx of migrants at the southern border. Although opinions were divided on how to tackle the crisis, this issue was of great importance to the people of Arizona.
“I believe there has been a disconnect where people have forgotten the true impact of these laws,” she expressed. “It is crucial that we keep organizing and help others understand how these policies will directly affect their lives.”
We have to be unafraid, not timid, when it comes to resistance towards the Trump administration César Fierros
Montoya and her colleagues questioned whether the Republicans’ decision to promote Proposition 314 as the “secure our border act” caused confusion among voters. It appeared that many were unaware that the law focused more on policing within the state rather than border enforcement.
Montoya expressed concern that individuals with busy work schedules, often working multiple jobs, may not have had the opportunity to thoroughly research the proposition.
She hoped that these individuals would soon understand the potential impact on all Arizonans and realize that it is not too late to voice their opinions.
Small town police and sheriffs in the rural counties along Arizona’s border with Mexico, who lack the resources and capability to enforce immigration, surprisingly remember the impacts of SB1070 and oppose its revival.
These law enforcement officials have not received any additional funding from the state legislature to enforce immigration policy. Furthermore, some sheriffs have expressed concerns that it would lead to racial profiling.
According to David Hathaway, the sheriff of Santa Cruz county, located just south of Tucson, the law is based on a “racist” approach that prompts officers to stop individuals who appear to be migrants.
This approach may prove to be futile in a county where the majority of residents, about 40,000 out of 49,000, identify as Hispanic or Latino, with 78% speaking Spanish at home.
Hathaway expressed his disbelief in the effectiveness of such a practice, stating, “It would be absurd for me to approach nearly every person in my county and demand to see their identification papers in order to check their immigration status,” during an interview with the Guardian in September.
Groups dedicated to protecting human rights and advocating for fair immigration, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have made a resolute commitment to persistently challenge Proposition 314 and thwart its complete execution.
According to John Mitchell, an immigrants’ rights attorney for the ACLU of Arizona, the US Supreme Court declared Arizona’s original ‘show me your papers’ law largely unconstitutional in 2012. He expressed concern about the state facing similar expensive legal battles in the past.
Advocates are currently rushing to get ready for the implementation of the law and are anticipating an increase in arrests and threats against immigrants as Trump proceeds with his mass deportation plans.
An example of such a group is Lucha, a progressive organization that actively campaigned for Kamala Harris and against Proposition 314. Lucha has now intensified its immigrant education program to better support and inform the immigrant community.
César Fierros, a communications director at Lucha, emphasized the importance of informing the community about upcoming changes. Lucha’s immigrant services department has been actively encouraging eligible individuals to apply for green cards, renew their visas, and ensure that all necessary paperwork is in order before Trump’s inauguration.
Activists and advocates have intensified their efforts to disseminate information about available legal resources for individuals facing deportation. They have drawn valuable insights from the challenges encountered during Trump’s first term and the years when Arpaio and SB1070 had a significant impact.
In Phoenix, it had become customary for activists to mobilize supporters and stage protests against the arrests and deportation of community members when legal tactics faltered or proved unsuccessful. Fierros emphasized the importance of remaining bold and resolute in resisting the Trump administration and detrimental policies like Prop 314.