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Senate approves lease of Marana facility to federal government after polarized debate
Summary
Senate passed a bill authorizing the lease of the Marana prison site to the federal government for immigration detainees; supporters argued it enforces immigration law, opponents cited human-rights concerns and possible inhumane conditions.
The Senate approved a bill authorizing the leasing of the Marana prison facility (Marana Prison) to the United States government.
Supporters, including Senator John Kavanaugh, described the lease as part of the state's contribution to federal immigration enforcement, saying people placed in the facility "would have been apprehended constitutionally" and that due process would be followed.
Opponents, including Senator Raquel (last name not specified in the excerpt) Ortiz, said the policy risks exacerbating mass-incarceration harms and could subject people to inhumane detention conditions. Ortiz said the facility capacity figures discussed (500 to potentially 1,000 if tightly packed) were alarming and urged a no vote on grounds of civil-rights and human-rights concerns.
The Senate recorded a roll-call vote for the bill: the transcript shows 18 ayes, 11 nays, 1 not voting, and the clerk announced the bill passed and will be transmitted to the House.
Ending: The measure passed on the floor despite vigorous floor debate about human-rights implications; senators urged continued scrutiny of conditions and federal compliance with constitutional protections.
