ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says state won’t help with federal immigration raids

Jan 24, 2025, 12:44 PM | Updated: 12:47 pm

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Friday the answer will be no if the Trump administration asks for help with immigration raids.

“We’re not going to use state resources to go into communities and round up people that aren’t causing harm,” Hobbs told reporters after taking part in an event at a Phoenix child care center.

The Democrat said the state’s border security efforts will remain focused on keeping drugs, guns and dangerous people out of Arizona communities through ongoing operations.

As an example, she cited Task Force SAFE, which is part of her SAFE (Stopping Arizona’s Fentanyl Epidemic) Initiative.

The task force, which is made up of members of the Arizona National Guard, was created to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts to keep drugs from entering the state from Mexico.

Trump OKs immigration raids in schools, churches, hospitals

President Donald Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration a centerpiece if his successful campaign last year and signed several executive orders addressing the issue shortly after being sworn in on Monday.

The administration also announced this week it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals.

On Thursday, immigration agents reportedly rounded up American citizens along with undocumented migrants during a raid in Newark, New Jersey.

Hobbs said Friday she is monitoring the situation but isn’t aware of any confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Arizona yet.

“We are working with local communities — there’s been some unconfirmed reports around tribal communities — to make sure that folks have their resources they need. … We’re making sure that Arizonans aren’t getting caught up in in racial profiling, in situations where citizens are being caught up in deportation.”

Hobbs vows to ‘stand up to the administration’

After Trump was elected in November, the governor signaled she was willing to work with new administration on certain aspects border security, but not actions that would harm Arizonans like immigration raids.

Republican state lawmakers recently introduced a bill called the the AZ ICE Act that would ensure state cooperation with federal immigration efforts. However, Hobbs would almost certainly veto it if it gets to her desk.

“We’re going to stand up to the administration just like I have from day one when they’re not getting it right for Arizonans,” she said Friday.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona Border and Immigration News

Tucson border patrol...

Roxanne De La Rosa

3 men arrested near Tucson after fleeing from Border Patrol

Tucson Border Patrol agents arrested three men on Tuesday near the southern border, after they tried to flee from law enforcement.

15 hours ago

Katie Hobbs southern border...

Danny Shapiro

Arizona Gov. Hobbs says she welcomes help as more active-duty military head to southern border

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is inviting more help at the southern border as more active-duty military are set to be deployed to the state.

2 days ago

Border situation yuma...

Kevin Stone

Arizona border mayor credits President Trump for ‘close to overnight’ improvements

The border situation improved quickly after President Donald Trump returned to the White House, according to the longtime mayor of Arizona’s largest border city.

5 days ago

A West Valley protest against new federal immigration policies turned unruly and destructive on Sun...

Kevin Stone

West Valley protest against federal immigration policies turns unruly, destructive

A West Valley protest against federal immigration policies turned unruly and destructive on Sunday night, authorities said.

6 days ago

Navajo woman ICE encounter Scottsdale...

Heidi Hommel

Navajo woman reportedly questioned by ICE in Scottsdale leads to lawmaker’s concerns

An Arizona lawmaker fears Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is racially profiling tribal members after she was made aware of a Navajo woman who was detained at her workplace in Scottsdale.

6 days ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 200 pounds of illegal drugs at the Port o...

David Veenstra

Federal agents seize nearly 200 pounds of meth, cocaine at Port of San Luis border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 200 pounds of illegal drugs at the Port of San Luis border in two separate incidents.

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says state won’t help with federal immigration raids