The Arizona Senate passed a bill Monday that would require local police to immediately contact federal immigration authorities after arresting someone suspected of being in the country illegally.
The bill, Senate Bill 1055, passed 16-11 with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against. Three senators did not vote. It now heads to the Arizona House.
Under SB 1055, any city or county law enforcement agency that arrests someone believed to be undocumented must immediately notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Republicans argue the bill is necessary to clarify how information should already be shared among state and local agencies and federal authorities, noting that Arizona law already says local police cannot limit immigration enforcement beyond what federal law allows.
After the vote, Arizona Senate Republicans posted on X, calling the bill straightforward and arguing that if someone commits a crime while in the country illegally, ICE should be notified.
They framed Democratic opposition as a threat to public safety, saying the party "opposed basic cooperation to help remove criminal offenders" from Arizona communities.
Democrats Argument
Arizona Senate Democrats pushed back against the criticism on X. They argued that local police already prosecute crimes under state law and that the bill would effectively turn local officers into federal immigration agents.
Democrats warned this could drain police resources, create legal liability, and damage trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially making people afraid to report crimes.
“Public safety isn’t about political talking points. It’s about smart policy that actually keeps Arizona communities safe,” the party explained.
Additionally, they raised concerns about the escalation of dangerous situations.
They added, “Arizona families want safety, not federal patrols that escalate violence or end in death.”
Both sides say they want safe communities; they just disagree sharply on how to get there.
The bill now moves to the Arizona House, where the debate is likely to continue.
