Washington, D.C. – The SB1070 2.0 bill package, spearheaded by Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma and considered one of the most extreme anti-immigrant bills in Arizona’s history, is expected to reach a final vote on the House floor today. This legislative effort aims to revive the dangerous elements of the original SB1070 law, which fueled police racial profiling of residents, expanded the use of detention, and tore immigrant communities apart. The bill has been met with strong opposition from community leaders and advocacy groups from Arizona and around the country.
Alejandra Gomez, Executive Director of Living United for Change (LUCHA), said:
“These SB1070 2.0 bills are not only racist, and anti-immigrant, but fundamentally anti-Arizona. Speaker Ben Toma and Republicans are launching an assault against the diverse fabric of Arizona by targeting immigrant communities, and dismissing their contributions to the state’s culture, and economy. Championing divisive & racist legislation, the sponsors deepen division, fostering an environment of fear and discrimination while legalizing racial profiling.
This SB1070 2.0 package does little to nothing to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. Instead, Speaker Toma is choosing politics over the welfare of Arizona, just to score political points or for a fundraising pitch. Playing politics with Arizona’s economy and threatening families is not what Arizonans do, and should be unequivocally rejected.”
Bruna Sollod, Senior Political Director of United We Dream, said:
“Thousands of immigrant youth and their loved ones who call Arizona home are stepping up to protect their communities against the aggressive threat of state violence SB1070 2.0 poses. Time and time again, our communities have raised the alarm about the white nationalist agenda led by anti-immigrant, MAGA policymakers in states like Florida, Texas, and now Arizona who continue to use their seats in elected office to target and harm Black, brown and immigrant communities rather than deliver permanent protections and real solutions that benefit us all. Our communities are all too familiar with the pain and fear caused by these harmful xenophobic laws, where people of color, and immigrants especially, are surveilled, racially profiled, harassed, and inhumanely detained, putting our loved ones at risk.
We categorically reject SB1070 2.0 and all forms of state violence against Black, Brown, and immigrant communities through racist policies. Our movement is united and grounded in our power to build a future where immigration policies are rooted in humanity and our collective freedom to move, stay in our homes, and thrive is honored.”
