Senate Republicans Make Strides to Protect Arizona, Aid in Federal Immigration Efforts with Legislation Passing Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    Monday, March 10, 2025

Senate Republicans Make Strides to Protect Arizona, Aid in Federal Immigration Efforts with Legislation Passing Senate

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— As the Trump Administration continues to remove criminal illegal aliens from Arizona communities, Senate Republicans are advancing three bills to join the valiant efforts to secure the southern border and make Arizona safe again. All three measures, sponsored by Senator John Kavanagh, passed the Senate and are being transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.

SB 1294 requires the Arizona Department of Administration to lease the currently vacant Marana Prison to the U.S. government for $1 per year. The bill creates flexibility by permitting the state to terminate the lease if the prison is needed for Arizona prisoners. Given the prison's proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and nearby airports, this location is ideal for housing criminal illegal aliens.

"This measure is a no-brainer. The federal government should have access to the empty Marana Prison to house these dangerous criminal illegal aliens so that Arizonans are protected from further threats," said Senator Kavanagh. "Detention centers are running at max capacity, and as a result, illegal aliens are being released back into communities."

SB 1299 establishes the Law Enforcement Personnel Grant Program to reimburse law enforcement agencies for immigration training costs. SB 1299 provides $2,000,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Public Safety for the grant program.

"It's our duty as lawmakers to support our law enforcement with resources to protect our citizens, and this bill does just that," said Senator Kavanagh. "With additional training, we can ensure that our front-line officers are equipped for the job, protecting both themselves, and the people of this great state."

SB 1610 requires county detention facilities to provide personal identifying information and access to an arrested person, on the request of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"Voters made it very clear in the last election - they are FED UP with the massive tsunami of people who have been entering this country illegally," said Senator Kavanagh. "With this bill, we are supporting the federal government's deportation efforts by requiring detention facilities to supply inmate information to ICE. We will stand with President Trump in this mission and look forward to seeing these bills advance to the Governor for her signature."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov