Arizona lawmakers are currently reviewing the "AZ ICE Act," a bill designed to bolster collaboration between state law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Introduced by Republican Senate President Warren Petersen, this legislation mandates that sheriff's departments and the Arizona Department of Corrections establish cooperative agreements with ICE, based on Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
This program empowers ICE to delegate specific immigration enforcement responsibilities to state and local officers, enabling them to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. ICE emphasizes that this collaboration strengthens homeland security by facilitating the removal of non-citizens who pose a threat to communities and violate U.S. immigration laws.
The proposed legislation also requires law enforcement to honor ICE detainers, which are requests to notify ICE when an undocumented immigrant is about to be released from custody. This measure directly addresses the practice of "sanctuary" jurisdictions, which often decline to comply with such requests. Furthermore, the bill allocates additional funding to support local law enforcement efforts.
Petersen highlighted the public's support for enhanced border security, referencing the voter-approved "Secure the Border Act." He expressed optimism about the AZ ICE Act's passage and urged Governor Katie Hobbs to sign the bill into law.
This legislative effort comes amidst the backdrop of renewed federal focus on immigration enforcement. While some local jurisdictions have expressed their willingness to cooperate with these measures, others, including Governor Hobbs, have voiced opposition. Hobbs has stated her preference for continued collaboration with the federal government but has also indicated her unwillingness to participate in what she deems to be harmful and divisive enforcement actions.
