Key Takeaways
- As of December 2024, five Arizona agencies actively participate in ICE’s 287(g) program under the “jail enforcement model.”
- The AZ ICE Act, passed February 28, 2025, mandates all Arizona law enforcement agencies establish 287(g) agreements by January 1, 2026.
- Governor Hobbs signed Executive Order 2025-01, launching Operation Desert Guardian to combat smuggling along Arizona’s border with Mexico.
As of February 2025, federal officials have invited law enforcement agencies in Arizona 🇺🇸 to join the 287(g) program, a partnership program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows state and local agencies to enforce certain federal immigration laws. Despite this invitation, no new agencies in Arizona have agreed to participate. This situation highlights the evolving discussion around immigration enforcement in the state and its intersection with federal policies.
The 287(g) Program in Arizona Today
As of December 2024, five Arizona law enforcement agencies currently have active agreements with ICE under the 287(g) program:
- The Arizona Department of Corrections
- La Paz County Sheriff’s Office
- Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
- Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
- Mesa Police Department
These agreements follow the “jail enforcement model.” This means the program is used to identify individuals who do not have legal permission to remain in the U.S. after they have been arrested by local law enforcement. The program helps bring these detained individuals into federal custody and speeds up deportation efforts for those deemed removable under federal law.
While federal officials are encouraging other Arizona agencies to join, the absence of new partnerships raises questions about the factors behind this reluctance and the broader implications for immigration enforcement in the state.
Lack of New Participants: Possible Reasons
There are several potential explanations for why no new Arizona agencies have agreed to participate in the program. While exact reasons are not definitively stated, some plausible factors include:
- Sufficient Existing Efforts: Some agencies might already believe they are cooperating adequately with ICE through informal relationships, making formal agreements appear unnecessary.
Resource Concerns: The 287(g) program can require significant resources, including training officers and tracking immigration-related cases. Many state and local agencies may lack the officers or budgets to handle such responsibilities effectively.
Community Trust: Agencies may avoid joining out of concern for damaging their relationships with immigrant communities, as participation could lead residents to fear local law enforcement rather than trust it.
Legal Uncertainty: Ongoing legal disputes and challenges involving immigration laws could make some agencies hesitant to jump into formal ICE partnerships amid unresolved questions.
Political Sensitivities: Immigration enforcement often sparks heated political debates. Agencies may worry about backlash or political consequences for participating in the 287(g) program.
These possibilities reflect the complexity of immigration enforcement for local agencies, especially in a state like Arizona, where immigration issues often spark intense legislative and community responses.
The AZ ICE Act and Its Potential Effects
A recent legislative development could change the current dynamic. On February 28, 2025, the Arizona Senate passed the Arizona Immigration, Cooperation, and Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as the AZ ICE Act (Senate Bill 1164). If enacted, this Republican-supported bill would make participation in federal immigration enforcement mandatory for all Arizona law enforcement agencies. Key points in the bill include:
- Banning state entities from imposing restrictions on cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
- Requiring all law enforcement agencies to establish agreements with ICE by January 1, 2026.
- Mandating county jails and the Department of Corrections to honor ICE detention requests for individuals already in custody.
- Directing criminal courts to inform judges when a suspect is identified as being in the U.S. illegally.
The bill now awaits review by the state House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a majority. Should the House pass it, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs would need to decide whether to sign or veto it.
This legislation, if implemented, may result in a significant rise in Arizona’s participation in the 287(g) program, overriding any reservations currently held by non-participating agencies.
Operation Desert Guardian and Recent Executive Action
In addition to legislative efforts, the Arizona state government has taken recent steps to ramp up state-backed immigration enforcement. On February 26, 2025, Governor Katie Hobbs signed Executive Order 2025-01. This directive created Operation Desert Guardian, a joint effort between state, local, and federal law enforcement to crack down on illegal smuggling activities across Arizona’s border with Mexico 🇲🇽.
The task force focuses on stopping trafficking of people, drugs, and weapons and positions state and local officials as active contributors to border enforcement. Though distinct from the 287(g) program, this initiative reflects Arizona’s heightened focus on immigration-related enforcement under both state and federal coordination.
Public Reaction and Legislative Controversy
The AZ ICE Act has sparked strong reactions, both for and against the bill. Supporters argue it strengthens the relationship between federal and state agencies in tackling illegal immigration. Critics, however, warn about the risks of racial profiling and the potential to increase fear in immigrant communities. During committee hearings, hundreds of protesters, many of them immigrants and advocates for immigrant rights, gathered at the Arizona Capitol to voice their opposition to the bill. Demonstrations have continued for weeks.
Governor Hobbs has not yet publicly stated whether she plans to sign or veto the legislation if it passes through the House. With a divided public and legislature, immigration enforcement remains one of the most contentious issues in the state.
Recent Trends and Broader Context
Arizona’s debate over immigration mirrors national discussions. Across the U.S., collaboration between local authorities and ICE varies widely:
- States like Texas, Florida, and Alabama have embraced laws requiring local authorities to assist immigration enforcement efforts.
- Other states, such as California, Illinois, and New York, have taken the opposite stance, limiting cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
In November 2024, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure making illegal border crossing a state-level crime. It also expanded the authority of local law enforcement to assist in immigration-related enforcement. However, the scope of this measure does not mandate formal partnerships with ICE, and its enforcement is temporarily paused while courts review its constitutionality. Legal challenges to this Arizona law mirror similar lawsuits filed against comparable measures in Texas.
Federal Enforcement Initiatives
For years, the federal government has relied on programs like 287(g) to enforce immigration laws with local support. Beyond 287(g), two other programs play vital roles:
- Secure Communities: This program automatically sends fingerprint data from local arrests to immigration databases at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It identifies individuals who could face deportation.
Criminal Apprehension Program (CAP): Through CAP, ICE officers screen individuals in local and federal jails to find deportable immigrants who are already in custody.
These programs are often used alongside 287(g) agreements to identify and deport unauthorized immigrants. Federal efforts rely heavily on local partnerships, underscoring the importance of state law enforcement’s decisions in programs such as these.
What’s Next for Arizona?
The future of immigration enforcement cooperation in Arizona remains unpredictable. If the AZ ICE Act passes into law, all law enforcement agencies in the state could soon be required to work more closely with ICE, likely leading to a larger number of new 287(g) program participants. On the other hand, legal battles and public opposition may delay or block the new legislation.
In the meantime, initiatives like Operation Desert Guardian will keep Arizona at the forefront of anti-smuggling enforcement efforts. While these measures do not involve 287(g), their goals align with wider efforts to bolster immigration enforcement at local, state, and federal levels.
For those seeking further details about the 287(g) program and other federal partnerships, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s official website provides a thorough explanation of current policies and participating agencies. Visit the ICE website here.
As immigration continues to shape discussions on law enforcement and governance in Arizona, balancing federal expectations, state initiatives, and community concerns will remain a challenging task for state leaders. The coming months could introduce sweeping changes, solidifying Arizona’s role as a focal point in the ever-evolving immigration debate. As reported by VisaVerge.com, Arizona’s approach is emblematic of the nationwide struggle to reconcile public safety considerations with civil rights and community trust. Will the state pivot toward broader enforcement? Or will public and legal resistance prove decisive? Only time will tell.
Learn Today
287(g) Program → A partnership allowing local and state law enforcement to enforce specific federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Jail Enforcement Model → A method under the 287(g) program identifying unauthorized immigrants already in custody for expedited transfer to federal detention.
AZ ICE Act → Proposed Arizona legislation mandating all state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts by 2026.
Operation Desert Guardian → Arizona’s state initiative targeting illegal smuggling activities through coordinated efforts between state, local, and federal law enforcement.
Secure Communities → A program sharing fingerprint data from local arrests with federal immigration databases to identify individuals potentially subject to deportation.
This Article in a Nutshell
Arizona’s Immigration Crossroads
Arizona faces a pivotal moment in immigration enforcement. Despite federal encouragement to join ICE’s 287(g) program, no new agencies have signed on. Community trust, resource concerns, and political sensitivity fuel hesitation. Meanwhile, proposed legislation could mandate participation statewide, intensifying debates on balancing enforcement with civil rights and local-federal cooperation.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Trump Expands 287(g) Program, Enlisting Local Police in Immigration Duties
• Georgia Sheriffs Join 287(g) Program to Support ICE on Immigration Enforcement
• Youngkin Orders Virginia Police to Assist Federal Immigration Efforts
• Executive Order 47 Makes Virginia Police Key Players in Immigration Enforcement
• Lebanon County Police to Partner with ICE in Deporting Criminal Offenders
