Arizona Republicans Force Probe of Pima County's Anti-ICE Policies

State Senate leaders compel Democratic Attorney General to review county's actions, raising questions about objectivity.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:12am

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A dynamic, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and lines in shades of blue, grey, and red, conveying a sense of political tension and clashing jurisdictions over immigration enforcement.The political clash over immigration enforcement in Arizona puts the state's Democratic Attorney General in the middle of a battle between Republican state lawmakers and a Democratic-led county.Tucson Today

Republican leaders in the Arizona State Senate have forced a review of Pima County's policies that limit federal immigration enforcement agents' access to county property without judicial warrants. The move puts the Democratic state Attorney General on the clock to determine if the county's actions violate state law or the U.S. Constitution, potentially leading to changes or financial penalties for the county.

Why it matters

The clash between state Republicans and the Democratic-led Pima County government highlights the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement, with GOP lawmakers accusing local officials of prioritizing 'radical political agendas' over public safety. The investigation could set a precedent for how state and local governments interact on immigration issues.

The details

Pima County, which includes the city of Tucson, has directed county authorities to deny Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to county property unless they have judicial warrants. Republican state Senate leaders used a resolution, SB 1487, to force the Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes to review the county's policies within 30 days and determine if they violate state law or the Constitution. Depending on Mayes' findings, Pima County may be required to change the policy, face a loss of state-shared revenue, or the case could be referred to the Arizona Supreme Court.

  • The Arizona State Senate passed the resolution, SB 1487, on April 6, 2026.
  • Attorney General Mayes has 30 days to respond to the Senate's request and complete the review.

The players

Warren Petersen

The Republican President of the Arizona State Senate, who led the effort to force the review of Pima County's policies.

TJ Shope

The Republican Senate President Pro-Tempore, who joined Petersen in the move.

John Kavanagh

The Republican Senate Majority Leader, who also participated in the effort.

Kris Mayes

The Democratic Attorney General of Arizona, who has been critical of federal immigration enforcement and will now be tasked with reviewing Pima County's policies.

Jennifer Allen

A Pima County Supervisor who defended the county's actions as a response to 'egregious and abusive behavior of federal immigration agents.'

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What they’re saying

“Instead of supporting law enforcement and protecting their citizens from crime, they're creating barriers that make it harder to enforce the law and easier for criminals to stay in our communities.”

— Warren Petersen, Arizona State Senate President

“When one county decides to go rogue, it creates gaps that undermine enforcement statewide. Arizonans expect coordination between all levels of government, not policies that tie the hands of law enforcement.”

— TJ Shope, Arizona State Senate President Pro-Tempore

“Given her record and her public opposition to immigration enforcement, there is a serious question about whether she can review this case objectively. This is not a policy debate. The law is clear, and it must be applied.”

— John Kavanagh, Arizona State Senate Majority Leader

“What is there to criticize? The county's action is in response to the egregious and abusive behavior of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and elsewhere in the country over the past year.”

— Jennifer Allen, Pima County Supervisor

What’s next

Attorney General Mayes has 30 days to complete the review and determine if Pima County's policies violate state law or the U.S. Constitution. Depending on the findings, the county may be required to change its policies, face financial penalties, or the case could be referred to the Arizona Supreme Court.

The takeaway

This clash between state Republicans and the Democratic-led Pima County government highlights the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement, with GOP lawmakers accusing local officials of prioritizing 'radical political agendas' over public safety. The investigation could set a precedent for how state and local governments interact on immigration issues in Arizona and beyond.