Arizona Sheriffs Face Pressure Amid Federal Immigration Enforcement Plans
Arizona’s sheriffs are navigating a challenging landscape as federal immigration enforcement policies intensify. Despite not being formally asked to participate in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, many sheriffs prefer to avoid such involvement.
Graham County Sheriff Preston Allred expressed a sentiment shared by several of his peers: “We’re not going to go out and actively try to hunt people down. We have never done that. We don’t do that type of stuff.” Similarly, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated, “There’s just nowhere in my duties or responsibilities as the sheriff here that I should be involved or engaged” in migrant round-ups.
As Trump pledges to detain and deport individuals lacking proper documentation, including an estimated 273,000 in Arizona, this policy has sparked both support and concern. Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was pardoned by Trump in 2017 for disobeying a court order related to racial profiling, stands by a tough enforcement approach, saying, “If you have laws, they shouldn’t be there and be ignored.”
However, migrant advocates argue that such actions could erode trust in law enforcement. José Patiño of Aliento, an immigrant advocacy group, warned, “To me it’s another way for distrust in local communities and police to boom.” This anxiety is echoed by some sheriffs, including Coconino County’s Bret Axlund, who is “extremely concerned” about the potential impact on crime reporting and community interaction.
Amidst these tensions, Arizona’s Republican legislators are pushing for increased collaboration with federal agencies. A proposed bill by state Senate President Warren Petersen would mandate that all law enforcement in Arizona supports federal immigration laws, expanding the current agreements that exist in Yavapai, Pinal, La Paz counties, and the city of Mesa.
While these agreements, known as 287(g), allow jurisdictions to house detained migrants and identify potential deportees, none have opted for ICE training to enforce federal statutes. La Paz County Sheriff William Ponce stated, “We are going to agree to house individuals for ICE if they’re determined to be detained and deported.”
Arizona sheriffs operate under state jurisdiction, as Angela Banks from Arizona State University explains, highlighting the federal limitations: “The federal government cannot direct state and local agencies … unless there are agreements between both sides.”
In Pima County, Sheriff Nanos has clarified that while his department assists the Border Patrol when needed, they will not extend their services to immigration enforcement. With departments already overburdened, many sheriffs are hesitant to take on additional responsibilities imposed by Proposition 314, a state measure that criminalizes illegal border crossing and allows state judges to order deportation.
This proposition, however, is currently on hold pending a federal court ruling. Arizona Sheriffs’ Association President David Rhodes acknowledges the frustration that led to its approval, though he notes, “It mandates local law enforcement to do a federal job because the federal government was not doing it.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona has voiced concerns about potential discrimination arising from Prop. 314. Several sheriffs highlight the discretionary power allowed by the proposition, contrasting it with the lack of flexibility in enforcing federal laws.
Efforts to bolster border security and immigration enforcement continue, with a state bill proposing $50 million in funding. Yet, Sheriff Nanos remains firm in his stance against engaging in immigration enforcement. The scale of Trump’s deportation plan poses significant logistical challenges, as noted by Patiño: “The Trump administration knows full well that ICE doesn’t have that capacity to accomplish the plan that the administration wants,” suggesting that such efforts could lead to racial profiling.
The legacy of Joe Arpaio’s hardline tactics in Maricopa County, including the controversial “tent city,” remains a point of contention. Current Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, distancing himself from Arpaio, assured a community advisory board that he would not enforce Prop. 314, reflecting a broader reluctance among Arizona sheriffs to engage in federal immigration enforcement.
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
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