At the Arizona Capitol on Monday, over 500 protesters were met with resistance as they attempted to voice their opposition against the proposed Senate Bill 1164, also known as the Arizona ICE Act. This bill, if passed, will mandate local law enforcement to enter agreements to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Activists were reportedly barred from entering the Senate to make their case, with some claiming their registration to speak was overlooked. Gina Mendez, an organizer with Living United for Change in Arizona, expressed frustration, saying, "We had a bunch of people who were already registered to speak and they weren't letting anyone in," according to a Phoenix New Times report.
The situation escalated when security and the Arizona Department of Public Safety "implemented precautionary measures" in response to what they termed as "aggressive behavior displayed by protesters." This move was to ensure safe and orderly entry into the Senate, GOP state Sen. Wendy Rogers posted a video that appeared to show no such aggression, rather, just protesters outside the doors with a security officer locking them out. This was seen by many activists as a clear attempt to simply lock out dissenting voices from the debate process Senator Rogers claimed protesters were trying "to break into our Arizona Senate," Mendez told Phoenix New Times.
Despite the disputes outside, the hearing proceeded with limited public input. Only three individuals, including Noah Schramm, ACLU of Arizona border policy strategist; Tyler Montague, Republican activist; and Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, wife of a detained U.S. veteran, were allowed to speak in opposition to the bill. Hartwell-Parris highlighted her husband Marlon's case, who, despite lawful residency and a DHS letter confirming his non-priority status for removal, was detained by ICE - a stark warning against the dangers posed by the bill, she argued in an AZ Mirror interview.
Supporters of the bill argue it is an essential step towards safeguarding public safety, enforcing immigration laws, and cooperating with federal efforts. However, opponents fear the legislation will lead to racial profiling and an increase in unfair detention practices. Concerns extend to the bill's requirement for local police to comply unquestionably with ICE, potentially undermining the trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Additionally, the legal and financial burdens the bill could impose on local agencies have not been addressed by its proponents. Despite these contentions, the bill secured a 4-3 vote along party lines in the committee and is edging closer to the Governor's desk.
As the debate rages on, activists continue to push back against what they refer to as the "Arizona Families Deportation Agenda." Prominent voices, such as former lawmaker Raquel Terán, are urging the community to maintain their presence at the Capitol, insisting on being heard. She rallied protesters with the call, "We keep going, we are here and we're not leaving," as recounted by the AZ Mirror. The response from the public signifies a deep contention with the course the Arizona legislature is set to take regarding immigration policy, a path that many see as a resurgence of earlier, controversial enforcement laws that have left long-lasting impressions on the state's socio-political landscape.
