By Jonathan Eberle |
A new Arizona law aims to bolster protections against foreign government interference and intimidation, marking a first-of-its-kind effort in the state to address what lawmakers describe as growing threats from hostile foreign actors.
House Bill 2374, sponsored by State Representative Quang Nguyen (R-LD1), was signed into law this week following bipartisan support. The legislation targets “transnational repression” — a term used to describe efforts by foreign governments to harass, surveil, or silence individuals on U.S. soil, often for expressing views critical of those regimes.
“This law draws a hard line: Arizona will not be a playground for foreign operatives,” Nguyen said in a statement. “Whether it’s the Chinese Communist Party or any other hostile regime, their tactics of intimidation and coercion have no place here.”
The new statute increases criminal penalties for harassment-related offenses when carried out by individuals acting on behalf of foreign powers or terrorist organizations. Crimes such as stalking, assault, and harassment receive enhanced felony designations if committed as part of an effort to silence political dissidents, religious minorities, or other individuals engaging in constitutionally protected activities.
Additionally, the law establishes a new Class 2 felony offense for any unauthorized foreign law enforcement activity conducted in the state. That includes attempts to surveil or detain individuals without express authorization from state or federal authorities.
To help detect and prevent such operations, the legislation directs the Arizona Department of Public Safety to develop a Transnational Repression Recognition and Response Training Program. The program will train local law enforcement across Arizona to identify and respond to covert foreign interference efforts.
Nguyen, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee and fled communist Vietnam as a child, described the measure as both personal and necessary.
“My family fled government repression,” he said. “I won’t stand by while foreign agents threaten people in Arizona for exercising their constitutional rights.”
The bill is part of the Republican Majority Plan in the Arizona House, which emphasizes border security, individual liberties, and public safety.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
