Arizona Governor Shuts Down Bill Requiring Local ICE Cooperation

Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have required Arizona law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, sparking backlash from voters who support stronger border enforcement.

Key Facts: Arizona governor vetoes bill forcing local authorities to work with ICE

  • Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a GOP-backed bill requiring local and state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
  • The bill prohibited local ordinances blocking immigration cooperation and mandated compliance with ICE detainers.
  • It also required jails to inform ICE about detainees and to house federal immigration detainees temporarily.
  • Funding would be withheld from jurisdictions refusing to comply with the bill’s requirements.
  • Polls show a majority of Arizonans favor stricter immigration policies, including cooperation with ICE.

The Rest of the Story: How Arizona’s Immigration Bill Was Derailed

The Arizona legislature, led by Republicans, passed a bill that would have ensured local authorities assisted with federal immigration enforcement.

This included honoring detainers, notifying federal officials about inmate status, and housing detainees awaiting deportation.

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the measure, arguing that it’s inappropriate for Washington to direct state and local officials.

The bill also carried financial consequences, allowing the state to strip funding from any local jurisdiction refusing to comply.

Despite voter polls showing a clear preference for tighter immigration enforcement, Hobbs doubled down on her opposition, citing the importance of local autonomy over federal cooperation.

Commentary: Why States Should Not Block Immigration Enforcement

There shouldn’t need to be legislation forcing local law enforcement to do what should already be standard practice—cooperate with federal authorities on immigration.

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

States and local jurisdictions should act as partners in upholding the law, not obstacles to it.

Governor Hobbs’ veto sends the wrong message.

Instead of ensuring Arizona is part of the solution to illegal immigration, she’s chosen to play politics and obstruct enforcement.

That decision is out of step with what the majority of Arizona voters clearly want—stronger borders and lawful coordination between state and federal agencies.

The bill was not radical; it simply affirmed that Arizona law enforcement should help federal agents carry out lawful detainers and ensure that criminal illegal immigrants are turned over to ICE, not released back into communities.

It’s alarming that any governor would oppose these common-sense measures.

With the border in crisis and criminal aliens slipping through the cracks, leaders should be stepping up to assist—not refusing cooperation.

At a minimum, the governor should respect the voters’ voice.

They sent more Republicans to the state legislature, clearly signaling a rejection of soft-on-border policies.

Ignoring this reality isn’t just poor leadership—it’s defiance of the people she was elected to serve.

The Bottom Line: Arizona Governor Defies Voter Support for Tougher Border Measures

Gov. Hobbs’ veto of the immigration cooperation bill defies the will of Arizona voters who overwhelmingly want stronger enforcement.

The legislation would have helped streamline immigration procedures and protect communities from criminal illegal aliens.

Instead, partisan politics took priority.

Arizona now stands as a state where elected leaders refuse to partner with federal immigration enforcement—even in the face of a growing crisis at the southern border.

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