Gov. Katie Hobbs says administration continuing to look at actions to keep Arizonans safe from ICE

PHOENIX — Following Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signing an executive order that would make it harder for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate in the state, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said she is unsure if what works in Massachusetts will work in Arizona.

Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos that because of the differences in state legislatures, something similar to what Healey signed would be tougher in enact in Arizona.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order that would bar ICE from many state resources.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs told @OutspokenKTAR something similar would be tougher here because of the differences in state legislatures.

Watch the full conversation:… pic.twitter.com/gc9F2e6hZE

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 4, 2026

Healey’s legislation keeps ICE from entering schools, hospitals and health clinics without a judicial warrant. It also preventing civil arrests for individuals attending religious services.

“She has a legislature where something like that can get through,” Hobbs said. “We have a very different scenario in Arizona.”

One of those obstacles Hobbs faces is that the Arizona legislature has been adversarial to her due to the imbalance of Republicans and Democrats.

Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, which has caused gridlock on a multitude of issues.

The Arizona House has 33 Republicans and 27 Democrats, while the Senate contains 17 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

In contrast, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has 132 Democrats and 25 Republicans, and its Senate has 34 Democrats and just 5 Republicans.

While Hobbs said she is “absolutely concerned” about Arizonans’ safety, she doesn’t want to give false promises.

The governor said she does not know how enforceable an executive order that prohibits ICE from certain places is.

Nevertheless, Hobbs said she is talking to public safety agencies, the National Guard and the Department of Public Safety should Arizona experience the type of escalation Minnesota has experienced following the fatal shootings by federal agents.

“My administration will continue to look at actions we can take to keep Arizonans safe and you’ll be hearing more from us in the coming days,” Hobbs said.

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