Kris Mayes Calls out Warren Petersen's 'Disqualifying' DACA Deportation Pledge

Arizona's attorney general race took a sharp turn this week when the Republican candidate staked out one of the most aggressive positions on immigration yet seen in a statewide campaign, triggering immediate pushback from his Democratic opponent and others watching closely.

Senate President Warren Petersen (R-AZ), who is seeking to unseat Kris Mayes (D-AZ), stated he would work with federal authorities to deport DACA recipients if elected, arguing the program lacks any constitutional foundation.

His comments made clear the position would apply to people who were brought to the country as children and have since lived here under the program's temporary protections.

"Here is some free legal advice to our sitting AG. DACA is found nowhere in the Constitution," he wrote. "I will keep our border secure and will work with the federal government to deport everyone who enters this country illegally. We welcome everyone who comes here legally and abides by the law. But be ready to be deported or prosecuted if you don't."

"Disqualifying"

Mayes responded, pointing to the kinds of jobs DACA recipients hold in Arizona communities. "News flash Warren: DACA recipients are police officers, firefighters, nurses and small business owners in Arizona," she wrote. "And you just announced to the world that you think they are criminals and should be deported. Disqualifying."

She also addressed her own record in office as a point of contrast. "Warren Petersen thinks Dreamers are criminals," she wrote. "I think cartel members, fentanyl traffickers, and fraudsters who prey on seniors are criminals. That's who I've spent the last 3.5 years prosecuting."

Additionally, Representative Oscar de los Santos (D-AZ) weighed in on X, describing Petersen's remarks as a significant escalation. "Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who is running for Attorney General, just declared war on Dreamers," he wrote.

"He said that Dreamers should 'be ready to be deported or prosecuted' if he becomes AG. This is 100% disqualifying."

Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) then pushed back sharply, defending Dreamers as contributors to Arizona communities. "They serve in the U.S. military, work in our hospitals and schools, own businesses, pay taxes and make Arizona better every day," Stanton wrote. "They deserve a path to citizenship, not lame threats."

Mayes has spent part of her tenure defending DACA in court, joining multistate legal challenges and intervening in cases seeking to limit recipients' access to certain federal benefits.

According to federal immigration data, approximately 18,450 DACA recipients currently live in Arizona. The program covers people who were brought to the country as minors and provides temporary deportation protections on a rolling two-year renewal basis.