Senator Wendy Rogers is fighting to protect Arizona taxpayers and restore the rule of law by sponsoring SB 1152, a bill that tightens immigration verification for state and local public benefits.
SB 1152 requires anyone applying for non-federal public benefits to prove they are lawfully present in the United States. It lists clear forms of acceptable identification and requires applicants to sign a sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury.
The bill also makes one point unmistakably clear. A person with a pending asylum claim is not eligible for state or local public benefits until asylum is actually granted by an immigration judge. Filing paperwork alone is not enough.
SB 1152 holds government agencies accountable. State and local employees must verify immigration status and report violations of federal immigration law. Failing to report violations is a criminal offense. Arizona residents are also given the right to take action in court if the law is ignored.
Rogers has consistently said Arizona should not reward illegal entry or allow public funds to be drained by those who are in the country unlawfully. SB 1152 puts the safety of Arizonans first and ensures tax dollars are reserved for citizens and legal residents.