Democrats Demonstrate Why They Can’t Win the Legislature: Rank and File Elected Against Common Sense Immigration Fix

By Alexander Lomax

If this recent election taught us anything, it’s that the economy and immigration were major subjects that the larger electorate sought out change for. And immigration as a priority issue is nothing new for us Zonies; it might be the one singular evergreen issue that we have as a border state. And Democrats, at least at the federal level, have gotten the message.

Take the Laken Riley Act. It is a bill named after a girl who was murdered at the hands of an illegal immigrant, and mandates that illegal immigrants who are charged with theft be detained by authorities. Considering that someone who is in the country illegally is highly unlikely to show up for any court dates, and considering that their status makes them detainable even without committing a crime, it is about as common sense a bill as possible.

You would think so at least. Both Senators Kelly and Gallego are staunchly in favor of the bill, as are all Congressional members from Arizona.

But who is staunchly opposed to such a no-brainer? Democratic leadership in the State Capitol. State Senate Democratic leaders Priya Sundareshan and Flavio Bravo proudly and forcefully came out against the bill, stating that it would open the door to widespread discrimination.

I’m sorry, but is there an epidemic of people being wrongfully detained for theft in this country? Is there now some newfound risk of brown people being wrongfully accused of this? As if people are going to risk the consequences of filing a false report with next-to-no evidence because something something racism?

And to that I ask…what are the state’s Democrats smoking?

And this is perhaps the biggest weakness of Arizona’s Democratic leadership: they’ve gone to the pro-immigration well so often that they’ve trained themselves into thinking that ANY restrictions on illegal immigration are inherently racist. Are you an immigrant that’s stealing? Trafficking drugs? Trafficking people? Murdering? Well if you acknowledge what’s in front of your face then you’re racist.

Yes, there is a need for immigration. Yes, most immigrants are decent people trying to make a better life for themselves. But if you think that 100% of them are good people and add something positive to our country, then you need to put down the Kool-Aid.

And this is why Democrats will not take control at the State Capitol any time soon: they’re simply in a different world than the voters.