AZ ICE Act to Protect Arizonans from Criminal Illegal Aliens Passes Legislature, Heads to Governor for Signature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   

Thursday, April 10, 2025

AZ ICE Act to Protect Arizonans from Criminal Illegal Aliens Passes Legislature, Heads to Governor for Signature

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— A bill to keep Arizona communities safe, by ensuring state cooperation with the Trump Administration's enforcement of federal immigration laws, is now headed to the Governor's Office after passing the House of Representatives today with full Republican support.

Sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen, the AZ ICE Act (SB 1164) prohibits state government entities from adopting or enforcing any policies that block or restrict law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities to enforce federal immigration laws. If cities, towns, or counties fail to comply, state lawmakers may file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General requesting an investigation, also known as a 1487. If the Attorney General's investigation reveals state law was violated, then state-shared revenues may be withheld until compliance.

"I applaud my colleagues in both the House and Senate for supporting this vital action to help safeguard our communities from dangerous criminal illegal aliens," said President Petersen. "I also owe a big 'thank you' to our sheriffs, especially Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes of the Arizona Sheriffs' Association, for continuous collaboration and support on this legislation. After worthwhile deliberation, the AZ ICE Act will soon be on the governor's desk for her consideration. For the good of our state, I hope she signs this bill. It's time for the Governor to put politics and partisan animosity towards President Trump aside. Our citizens deserve nothing less than all levels of government cooperating to uphold our laws and protect innocent men, women, and children from the harms caused by the Biden Administration's open border policies."

The bill also requires county sheriffs and the Arizona Department of Corrections to comply with immigration detainer requests, preventing criminal illegal aliens from being released back on the streets. Additionally, law enforcement may enter into 287(g) agreements with the federal government.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov