FIRST ON FOX: Arizona Legislature is considering significant legislation to ensure that a key border state cooperates with the new Trump administration’s mass deportations 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 certain immigration functions, including identifying and detaining suspected illegal immigrants, to state and local law enforcement officials.
TRUMP DHS VOIDS KEY MAYOR MEMORANDUM RESTRICTING ICE AGENTS, ORDERS PAROLE REVIEW
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 delegation of certain duties to immigration officials — to improve cooperation with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland by arresting and removing noncitizens who undermine the safety of our nation’s communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws- a”, it says on the ICE website.
Petersen’s bill would also require law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers — which are requirements that ICE be notified when an illegal immigrant is released from state or local custody. The authorities of the “sanctuary” do not satisfy the detainees.
The bill would also direct additional funding to local police.
“Ending the border crisis requires a comprehensive approach. This common-sense bill will not only allow federal and local law enforcement to work together to protect our citizens, but will also prevent government obstruction,” Petersen said in a statement.
President Donald Trump is sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during the inauguration ceremony 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 ‘Border Security Act’ that Republicans put on the ballot because they want law enforcement and they want safe communities,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the AZ ICE bill pass the Legislature and hope the governor will listen to our citizens by signing the bill when it comes to her desk.”
President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Monday and promptly 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 it happen.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
Some local jurisdictions have pledged their support for the measures, but other officials have vowed to either resist or not comply with the upcoming deportation operation.
Governor Katie Hobbsa Democrat, told ABC News in November that she hoped the ongoing partnership with the federal government would continue, but said the state would not abide by what she called a “flawed” deportation operation.
“I very much hope that this partnership can continue and that the new administration will listen, not only to my administration, but also to the experts here in the field, the people who are doing what is most needed and what we can do if we continue, it will be of great help in ensuring our borders,” she said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
She 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 that.”
