Arizona Republican senators challenge Pima County anti-ICE rule
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 9
Arizona Republican senators challenge Pima County anti-ICE rule
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 9
Warren Petersen, John Kavanagh and TJ Shope asked Attorney General Kris Mayes to investigate under SB 1487, a 2016 law that can withhold half a city's state funds.
The move follows Tucson and Pima County measures barring ICE from using local property for civil immigration operations without explicit permission or, in Tucson's case, a judge-signed warrant.
Arizona lawmakers have used SB 1487 36 times since 2016, including 10 involving Tucson or Pima County, underscoring long-running state-local conflict over immigration and local control.
With Tucson's ordinance declared legal, will more US cities now challenge federal agents' access to local property?
How does the line between 'impeding' and 'not helping' federal agents now change immigration enforcement in cities?
Attorney General Sides with Pima County: Inside Arizona’s Battle Over Local ICE Enforcement Limits
Overview
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a legal opinion in May 2026 affirming Pima County’s right to restrict federal immigration agents’ access to county property for enforcement actions. This decision dismissed a complaint from GOP lawmakers and clarified that neither federal nor state law compels the county to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Mayes explained that federal law does not preempt local authority over property access and that administrative ICE warrants must respect property rights. The ruling highlights local autonomy, allowing Pima County to set its own rules for federal agents on county property while staying within legal boundaries.