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FIRST ON FOX: Arizona Legislature is considering significant legislation to ensure the key border state cooperates with the new Trump administration’s mass deportation push amid questions about how much states will help the government.
Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, is introducing the “AZ ICE Act,” which would require sheriff’s departments and the Arizona Department of Corrections to enter into cooperative agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The agreements are based on Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows ICE to delegate to state and local agents certain immigration functions, such as identifying and detaining suspected illegal immigrants .
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Immigrants wait to be processed by the US Border Patrol after crossing the border from Mexico on December 30, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
“The 287(g) program allows ICE, through the delegation of specified immigration officer duties, to enhance collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland by detaining and removing non-citizens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of US immigration laws,” the ICE website says.
Petersen’s bill would also require law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers, which are requests for ICE to be notified when an illegal immigrant is released from state or local custody. “Sanctuary” jurisdictions do not comply with detainers.
The bill would also allocate additional funds to local law enforcement.
“Ending the border crisis requires a comprehensive approach. This common-sense legislation will not only allow federal and local law enforcement to work together to protect our citizens, it will also prevent government obstruction,” he said. Petersen said in a statement. .
President Donald Trump administers the oath of office to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during inauguration ceremonies in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Lamarque/AFP via Getty Images)
“Arizona voters spoke loud and clear last November. They overwhelmingly approved the Secure the Border Act, which Republicans put on the ballot because they want the law enforced and they want safe communities,” he said. say “I hope the AZ ICE Act passes the Legislature and I hope the governor listens to our citizens by signing the bill when it reaches his desk.”
President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Monday and immediately signed a series of executive orders to address border security and illegal immigration. His administration plans to launch a mass deportation operation and is already taking steps to make that happen.
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Some local jurisdictions have pledged their support for the measures, but other officials have vowed to resist or not comply with the upcoming deportation operation.
Gov. Katie Hobbsa Democrat, told ABC News in November that she was hopeful ongoing partnerships with the federal government could continue, but said the state would not comply with what she called a “misguided” deportation operation.
“I’m very hopeful that this partnership can continue and that the incoming administration will listen, not just to my administration, but to the experts here on the ground, the people who are doing the work about what it needs most and what we can continue to do. this will be very helpful in securing our border,” he said.
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He then added, “What I will say unequivocally is that as governor, I will not tolerate efforts that are part of misguided policies that harm our communities, that threaten our communities, that terrorize our communities, and Arizona will not participate in these .”
