Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference have issued a statement expressing their appreciation for Governor Hobbs' veto of SB 1231. In their statement, they highlighted their concerns about the situation at the border and the lack of a federal solution to the challenges faced by vulnerable people and American communities.

"We share the frustration of many about the situation at the border. The lack of a federal solution to the challenges faced by both vulnerable people and American communities is sorely needed and long overdue," the Bishops stated.

The Bishops emphasized the need to uphold the rights and dignity of every person, especially families looking to remain safely together. They expressed their belief that SB 1231 was not the appropriate response and could have painful unanticipated consequences.

"Proposals such as SB 1231 are unlikely to survive legal challenges and are not the right solution," they added.

Furthermore, the Bishops raised concerns about the potential impact of local law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws as proposed by SB 1231. They warned that such actions could undermine community trust in the police and lead to more dangerous neighborhoods.

The Bishops called for the federal government to do a better job of managing the national border and providing comprehensive immigration reform. They stated that Governor Hobbs' veto of SB 1231 was appreciated and aligned with their concerns.

The statement was signed by Most Rev. John P. Dolan, Bishop of Phoenix; Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, Bishop of Tucson; Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup; and Most Rev. Eduardo Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix.