EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Immigration enforcement is sparking debate in Arizona, with some lawmakers fearing increased raids and other officials calling for criminal charges on those who interfere with law enforcement agents.
Pinal (Arizona) County Attorney Brad Miller this week spoke in favor of a newly filed state bill to impose “serious consequences” on individuals who interfere with law enforcement during Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
“This bill draws a constitutional line. Observe, record, question but do not physically obstruct or threaten in ways to heighten danger or interfere with lawful arrests,” Miller said at a news conference inside the state capitol.
The bill calls for fines and prison time for those who do.
His attempt to have the news conference outside the building was interrupted by loud anti-ICE demonstrators.
Later, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs told the host of KTAR’s “Outspoken” show she had reached out to the Trump administration regarding rumors about a planned ICE surge in Phoenix.
“I’ve reached out to the administration, and I can’t confirm anything about their plans here,” she told KTAR. “That being said, I’m horrified – like many Americans – about what we’ve seen in Minneapolis […] Going after people indiscriminately, rounding them up for no other reason that they trying to meet deportation quotas and check some political points is not making us safe.”
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, also told local news media he had reached out to the White House about stepped-up ICE operations in Phoenix.
“We have reached out to get more information,” Gallego told KJZZ on Friday. “We know that there is something coming at some point.”
He urged Latinos to be prepared for possible racial profiling from ICE.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover issued a statement calling for calm and a well-thought-out response to stepped up immigration enforcement.
“I am urging our community not to meet recklessness with more recklessness. We must be smart and fight fire, not with more fire, but with water,” she said. “I ask that you stay cool, calm and collected so you do not mistake criminal investigations with warrants signed by judges with an ICE sweep that has yet to occur here.”