Tipsheet

One of Arizona's Liberal Hotbeds Overwhelmingly Rejected Proposition to Become State's First Sanctuary City

Voters in Tucson, Arizona, a liberal hotbed roughly 70 miles north of the Mexican border, overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 205, which would have made the city the first sanctuary city in the state. Voters shot down the proposal by 71 percent, a victory for those who support enforcing America's immigration laws.

Tucson Families Free and Together spearheaded the ballot initiative was spearheaded, KGUN-TV reported. 

According to the group's website, Tucson citizens "have both the right and absolute responsibility to defend and protect the most vulnerable members" of the community, a clear reference to the illegal aliens in the city. 

It has always been known that good governance requires the assurance of safety and justice. We, as a charter city, have both the right and absolute responsibility to defend and protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Our initiative proposes a number of new policies which will reduce arrests, create strong directives against racial profiling, and assure strong separations between federal immigration agencies and local law enforcement. By protecting all people’s constitutional and civil rights we can ensure a community where everyone can thrive, regardless of their immigration status. In Tucson, we started sanctuary. Now, let’s give it a rebirth for our times.

The Pima County Sheriff, Tucson Police officials and Tucson's largely Democratic city council and mayor opposed the proposition. 

Prop. 205 was said to be Tucson's attempt at bucking SB 1070, the controversial 2010 bill that cracked down on illegal immigration in Arizona, Tucson.com reported. The bill not only prohibited sanctuary cities but required law enforcement officials to verify a person's immigration status if they were believed to be in the country illegally. 

Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Dr. Kelli Ward applauded liberals for realizing that sanctuary status is bad policy, even though it's a policy progressives typically champion.

Conservative activist and outspoken critic of illegal immigration, Michelle Malkin, also gave voters a thumbs up on their decision.