Phoenix approves oversight of federal immigration enforcement in 8-1 vote

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 Wednesday to approve the Community Transparency Initiative, establishing local oversight of federal immigration enforcement activities and how they can use city-owned property.

The policy takes several actions aimed at holding federal immigration officers accountable.

The CTI restricts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using city property as staging areas without prior authorization, creates a multilingual complaint portal for residents to report alleged civil rights violations, mandates training for all city employees on warrant protocols and expands “Know Your Rights” resources.

City airports and municipal courts are exempt from the initiative.

Prior to the vote, Assistant City Manager Lori Bayes acknowledged that the city faces real obstacles in holding federal agents accountable.

“Investigating these cases will be extremely difficult,” Bayes said in the council meeting. “We do anticipate difficulty accessing individuals to interview as part of a police investigation, … and therefore the likelihood of prosecution is low.”

Dozens spoke in support of federal immigration enforcement oversight

Dozens of residents spoke during the public comment period, with a large majority supporting the measure.

Annette Musa, speaking on behalf of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, warned against inaction.

“Government overreach seldom happens in a single action,” Musa said. “It is a series of escalating actions intended to intimidate individuals, communities and businesses. We have seen the impact of such action in other large cities. It was a warning we cannot afford to ignore.”

Francisca Gil, community integration program manager at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, described the fear among refugee communities, saying a group of refugees missed job interviews at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport because “they were afraid.”

“ These are very vulnerable people, people that have fled persecution and conflict under other home countries,” Gil told the council. “ We need to understand these people are working very hard to start a new life in the country, and it is so unfair that they are afraid to be in the community and continue with their lives.”

Two speakers opposed local immigration oversight

Ben Halloran, a retired law enforcement officer, argued the policy would endanger federal agents carrying out their duties.

“Policies like this modeled after sanctuary city approaches that actively oppose ICE have already created unnecessarily dangerous and high-tension environments for everyone involved,” Halloran said, calling into the council meeting. “This regulation only increases the stress and danger faced by ICE officers as they carry out their lawful duties and causes dangerous disruptions to Phoenix neighborhoods.”

Another man called the initiative a misuse of city funds that would not improve public safety.

He added that the money should be directed toward priorities that benefit citizens, such as strengthening law enforcement, supporting victims of crimes committed by undocumented migrants and expanding access to social services like SNAP.

The man closed his argument by emphasizing that public safety is achieved through cooperation, not confrontation with the Department of Homeland Security.

City council votes with Mayor’s support

Mayor Kate Gallego opened the meeting by condemning federal enforcement tactics.

“All of us are well aware of the many civil rights abuses and blatant illegal activity that far too many have experienced at the hands of ICE,” Gallego said. “It’s un-American and it’s shameful.”

Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who introduced the motion, said families in Phoenix are living in fear.

“Families are living with fear, fear of reporting crime, fear of asking for help, fear of walking into a city building that is supposed to serve them,” she said before the vote.

Councilwoman Anna Hernandez called ICE “a violent, paramilitary and lawless agency” before casting her vote.

“As the … proud daughter of immigrants, I vote yes,” Hernandez said.

The council agreed to holding quarterly stakeholder sessions and indicated the initiative represents a first step rather than a final action.

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