Bill to Allow Marana Prison as Holding Center to Keep Criminal Illegal Aliens Out of Arizona Communities Passes Senate Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               Monday, February 10, 2025

Bill to Allow Marana Prison as Holding Center to Keep Criminal Illegal Aliens Out of Arizona Communities Passes Senate Committee

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— As the Trump Administration continues to remove criminal illegal aliens from Arizona communities, a bill to allow the federal government to use the empty Marana Prison as a holding center for these dangerous individuals passed out of a Senate committee today with only Republican support.

SB 1294, sponsored by Senator John Kavanagh, requires the Arizona Department of Administration to lease the 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 close proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and nearby airports, this location is ideal for housing criminal illegal aliens. SB 1294 will strengthen public safety in Arizona by ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are swiftly processed and deported.

Within the past three weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 11,000 thousand criminal illegal aliens. However, detention centers are running at max capicity, and as a result, illegal aliens are being released back into comunities. The Marana Prison has been vacant since 2023 and has the capacity to house up to 1,000 individuals, if additional beds are added.

"This proposal 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. We support President Trump's efforts in this mission," said Senator Kavanagh. "I look forward to this bill making its way to the ninth floor and being signed by the Govenor. However, if she takes the wrong action, and if the federal government wishes to use this facility, I am prepared to send this measure to the ballot. Arizona voters spoke loud and clear last November. They want their government to enforce the law and to remove criminals from our communities. We can either be a help, or a hindrance."

SB 1294 passed out of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs & Border Security today with all Democrats voting against the measure.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov