MCSO Sheriff Jerry Sheridan says he will act if ICE does anything unlawful in the Valley

PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said he has no issue taking action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if anything unlawful occurs in metro Phoenix.

The Bulwark reported on Jan. 2 that the Valley will likely become the next hotspot of activity involving ICE, from arrests and deportations to expanding the nation’s network of detention facilities.

“(It is) my duty as your elected sheriff,” Sheridan told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Wednesday. “If they’re doing something that is illegal (or) unlawful, the sheriff will be there.”

The sheriff explained that he has personally jailed deputies and even had his own nephew fired before pressing criminal charges against him.

“So I’m not afraid to do that,” Sheridan said. “We have people in law enforcement that shouldn’t be there and when they step over the line … we police ourselves very well.”

Sheridan later clarified in a video posted to Instagram that he will arrest anyone who interferes with ICE agents operating in the metro Phoenix area.

“When ICE is here doing their job, of their responsibility, I will be here to protect them to do that and keep people from interfering with them,” Sheridan said. “Anyone will be arrested if they interfere with federal officers doing their duty.”

Sheriff Jerry Sheridan reminds people to keep protests against ICE peaceful

Sheridan added that people who choose to peacefully protest against ICE need to be careful about demonstrations not escalating.

“We have to remember that these things escalate because people get too emotional,” Sheridan said. “Now, this is a very emotional … issue. … This country was founded on immigration; we have indigenous people here and look what happened to them.”

His comments followed widespread protests in Minneapolis after the fatal Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Tuesday that she is taking action to prioritize public safety in case Arizona sees similar immigration crackdowns and anti-ICE protests.

The sheriff reminded the public that ICE is a law enforcement agency that will be out there doing their job.

“I am here to protect the peace and tranquility of this county and I will do so,” Sheridan said.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on Jan. 14, 2025. 

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