Republicans want a state census, judge says Mexico can sue gun dealers

Good afternoon. Warner weather is on the way. It should be sunny with a high of 72° tomorrow, and mostly sunny with a high of 81° on Thursday.

🌵 A federal judge allowed Mexico’s lawsuit against Arizona gun dealers to proceed.

Mexico is suing five gun dealers in Tucson, Yuma, and Phoenix for allegedly facilitating the flow of assault weapons and ammunition across the border to drug cartels. In the past three-and-a-half years, border officials have seized more than 4,600 guns and a million rounds of ammunition being smuggled from Arizona into Mexico. 

🌵 Arizona Republicans want the state to conduct its own census that only includes U.S. citizens.

The state legislature may add the proposal to the November ballot. The results of an alternative state census could be used to redraw legislative districts, which would likely favor Republicans. Democrats say it could also spread fear in immigrant communities and keep people from responding to the official U.S. Census, which could harm Arizona’s congressional representation. 

🌵 Federal funding for migrant services will run out on March 31, leading to street releases in border communities. 

The Border Patrol releases about 1,000 asylum seekers into the U.S. per day on humanitarian parole. Pima County partners with local aid organizations like Casa Alitas to temporarily house migrants while they connect with family and support networks around the country. Federal funding for these programs will expire at the end of the month, and prospects for renewed funding are uncertain. 

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🌵 Arizona lawmakers are finding it difficult to reform sober living houses.

Multiple bills would address problems with the state’s sober living homes, which range from Medicaid fraud to the warehousing of people who do not receive proper treatment for drug and alcohol dependence. Indigenous communities have been particularly affected. One reform bill by Sen. Theresa Hatathlie, a member of the Navajo Nation, was blocked by fellow Democrats.

🌵 Lastly, state officials are preparing for another potentially tumultuous election this fall.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, are taking steps to protect elections workers from physical threats and combat misinformation online. Relatedly, an Ohio man was sentenced this week to 2 ½ years in prison for making death threats against Katie Hobbs, who was secretary of state during the 2022 election.

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