Senate President Petersen Responds to Irresponsible Veto of AZ ICE Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                      

Monday, April 21, 2025

Senate President Petersen Responds to Irresponsible Veto of AZ ICE Act

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate President Warren Petersen is responding to the Governor's irresponsible veto this past Friday evening of a bill to keep Arizona communities safe, by ensuring state cooperation with the Trump Administration's enforcement of federal immigration laws.

"This veto from the Governor is another slap in the face to Arizonans who have suffered greatly from the consequences of an open border under the Biden Administration," said President Petersen. "The AZ ICE Act was a reasonable, commonsense proposal supported by Arizona sheriffs to ensure all levels of law enforcement were working with the federal government to enforce our laws and protect our citizens from harm. Sadly, the Governor and state Democrat lawmakers are again choosing to obstruct any and all efforts to bolster public safety and maximize security for our communities. Arizonans should be outraged that Democrat elected officials are playing politics with vulnerable lives and livelihoods. Republicans will continue to work with law enforcement on solutions to the lingering negative effects of the Biden border crisis. Arizonans deserve nothing less."

Sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen, the AZ ICE Act (SB 1164) would have prohibited 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 failed to comply, state lawmakers could have filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General requesting an investigation, potentially leading to state-shared revenues being withheld. Additionally, the bill would have required 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.

"With this veto of the AZ ICE Act, Governor Hobbs is endangering the lives of law enforcement and members of the public by forcing federal agents into communities to find and arrest criminal illegal aliens who've been released on the streets when detainers are not honored, instead of federal agents being able to pick up these dangerous individuals at secure local jails and prisons," said Art Del Cueto, former U.S. Border Patrol Agent. "These are not individuals simply here illegally to work and support their families- they are violent thugs with criminal records who want to cause harm. This veto was a huge mistake by Governor Hobbs."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov