PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona Republican lawmakers have introduced a new measure, the Arizona ICE Act, that would require local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws under 287(G) agreements. If passed, the bill would mandate county sheriff’s deputies and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement.
The legislation is being led by Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who said the bill would strengthen law enforcement’s role in immigration control.
“You are essentially deputized. You’re now kind of an extension of the federal government, where you’re able to carry out and enforce their laws,” Petersen said.
How the Arizona ICE Act Would Expand Federal Enforcement
Unlike Proposition 314, passed by voters in November 2024, which allows law enforcement to enforce state-level immigration laws, the Arizona ICE Act would permit local officers to directly apply federal immigration policies.
If enacted, the bill would:
- Require 10% of Arizona law enforcement agencies to undergo ICE training to enforce federal immigration law.
- Mandate jails and prisons to hold detainees for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, giving ICE time to take custody of undocumented individuals.
- Expand existing 287(G) agreements, currently in place in Pinal and Yavapai counties, to more jurisdictions statewide.
Petersen argued that detaining individuals before their release would prevent ICE from tracking them down later, which he said would reduce safety risks for law enforcement officers.
Democrats Push Back with Competing Bill
In response, Democratic lawmakers have introduced the Immigrant Trust Act, sponsored by Sen. Analise Ortiz, which would prohibit local law enforcement from assisting ICE in deportations.
Ortiz said the legislation is designed to protect mixed-status families from being separated.
“Families are terrified. They’re afraid to call the police. They’re afraid to drive their children to the doctor because they could be separated from their loved ones,” Ortiz said.
Protests and Civil Rights Concerns
The debate over immigration enforcement has sparked statewide protests, with immigrant rights activists denouncing the Arizona ICE Act as an example of state overreach.
Victoria Lopez, executive director of ACLU Arizona, warned that the bill could lead to racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and civil rights violations.
“The greater the violations of civil and human rights, the greater the chances of family separation and unlawful arrests,” Lopez said at a protest at the Arizona Capitol.
Activist group Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) has also condemned the bill, comparing it to SB 1070, Arizona’s controversial “show me your papers” law, which was partially struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We are your neighbors, your friends, your family,” said LUCHA organizer Abril Gallardo Cervera, urging lawmakers to reject the bill.
Governor Katie Hobbs Responds
Governor Katie Hobbs has expressed skepticism about the measure, questioning whether it would place undue burdens on local law enforcement.
“I don’t think it’s right to impose a mandate on local agencies that are already struggling with resources,” Hobbs said.
She also noted that 287(G) agreements already exist and that local law enforcement agencies can choose to opt in voluntarily without state intervention.
With Arizona at the center of the national immigration debate, the fate of the Arizona ICE Act is set to become a major flashpoint in the state’s ongoing immigration policy battle.
