U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are increasing in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Phoenix New Times reports. Former Department of Homeland Security officials told The Bulwark that the focus on Phoenix follows a pattern of raids and detentions previously seen in Los Angeles and Chicago. Community organizations and officials are preparing for a surge of federal agents.
With funding from the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ICE is preparing to expand detention capacity nationwide, including in Arizona. Concerns have grown over conditions in existing facilities. State Sen. Analise Ortiz told Phoenix New Times that most Arizonans do not want friends, family, or neighbors detained by ICE.
Arizona’s immigration landscape saw several key developments in 2025. AZ Mirror reports ongoing challenges, including a Supreme Court review of President Trump’s executive order denying citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents. Advocates worry about threats to immigrant students’ education, and some voters have supported measures giving local authorities more power to enforce immigration laws, though legal battles continue.
Politics aside, grassroots movements and community leaders are pushing back against the tightening grasp of federal immigration enforcement. Phoenix residents have rallied in support of those caught in the crossfire of increased ICE activity, protesting deportations and demanding transparency and decency from elected officials. Despite the growing number of ICE raids, these advocates are standing firm in their conviction, promising resilience and continued mobilization. Clarissa Vela, founder of PeopleFirstProject, told the Phoenix New Times, “I believe the community should be embracing one another right now. Regardless of your immigration status, get out and fight. We’re gonna be what stops this.”
