Arizona Senate Republicans are urging the state to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and support President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan. Senate President Warren Petersen introduced the “AZ ICE Act,” which would require local authorities to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
“Now, we’re shifting our efforts to enforcement,” Petersen said in a statement on X. “I’ve just introduced new legislation to help President Trump and his administration combat the crisis at the border. The Arizona ICE Act would ensure a partnership between local and federal law enforcement to end the chaos of Biden’s open border policies.”
Petersen explained that the legislation would allow local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws in partnership with ICE. It would also make it easier to remove and deport migrants who have committed crimes and are living in the U.S. illegally.
If passed, the bill would mandate law enforcement compliance with ICE detainer requests by Jan. 1, 2026. It would also provide additional funding to local law enforcement for its implementation. The measure would also prohibit sanctuary laws that prevent law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities.
“Ending the border crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Petersen’s statement reads. “This commonsense legislation will not only allow federal and local law enforcement to work together to protect our citizens, but it will also prevent government obstruction.”
The proposed legislation comes just one day after President Trump’s inauguration. Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, have promised to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants, beginning with those who have committed crimes.
It remains unclear whether Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs will sign or veto the bill.
Hobbs vetoed an immigration bill in March 2024 passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. It would have made it a crime for noncitizens to cross into Arizona from anywhere other than a port of entry.
Republicans currently lack enough votes in either chamber of the state Legislature to override a veto from the Democratic governor.
“What I will unequivocally say 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 take part in those,” Hobbs said while appearing on ABC News on Nov. 18.