Legislation to Keep Arizona Communities Safe from Criminal Illegal Aliens Passes Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Legislation to Keep Arizona Communities Safe from

Criminal Illegal Aliens Passes Committee

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Government Committee Chairman Jake Hoffman is supporting the Trump Administration's efforts to protect Americans from rampant crime associated with criminal illegal aliens in Arizona communities with two bills advancing out of committee today.

SB 1088, sponsored by Senator Hoffman, requires local, county, and state governments, as well as any independent contractors associated with these levels of government, to comply with all federal laws, rules, regulations, and orders pertaining to immigration and deportation. The bill requires cooperation with U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If a violation occurs within city or county government, the Attorney General must launch an investigation upon request of a legislator. If a violation occurs within a state agency, the state agency must deposit 10% of its funding for the fiscal year into the general fund within 30 days of the violation. If a violation occurs with a contractor, their contract becomes void. A citizen may also bring a private right of action to enforce the law.

"Criminal illegal aliens are committing violent and horrific acts, not only here in Arizona, but across the nation. Look no further than the tragic story of Laken Riley in Georgia who was brutally raped and murdered. We don't want these dangerous individuals on our streets," said Chairman Hoffman. "Unfortunately, rogue politicians are attempting to undermine President Trump's wildly popular deportation efforts, and Senate Republicans want to ensure cooperation with keeping our communities safe."

SB 1111, also sponsored by Senator Hoffman, offers a bounty in the form of grants to local, county, and state law enforcement agencies of $2500 for each criminal illegal alien who is apprehended and deported. To pay for the grants, the bill imposes fees when wiring money across international borders of the United States, ranging from $25 for wires less than $500, or $25 plus 5% of the amount wired if it is more than $500. Taxpayers who pay the fee can claim the amount as a credit on their taxes. The bill also creates the Arizona Deportations Fund, administered by the State Treasurer, where the monies collected will be deposited then distributed to the law enforcement agencies as part of the bounty program.

"We often find criminal illegal alien enterprises involved in drug trafficking, child sex trafficking, and human smuggling transmitting the profits they make back to their nation of origin. This negatively impacts our gross domestic product here at home and across the nation. We should be recovering those economic losses," said Chairman Hoffman. "SB 1111 empowers law enforcement to work with federal immigration authorities to arrest and deport these dangerous individuals. This is a critical mission that Arizona voters overwhelmingly support, and we want to reward the efforts of our hardworking officers."

Despite all Democrats in Senate Government Committee voting against the measures, the bills passed with Republican support and continue their journey to Governor Hobbs' desk.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov