Arizona Senate committee backs bill requiring local authorities to notify ICE after arrests, 4–3

The Arizona Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee on Wednesday recommended Senate Bill 10-55, a measure that would require state and local law enforcement to immediately notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection when they arrest a person believed to be unlawfully present in the United States. The committee gave the bill a due-pass recommendation by a 4–3 vote.

Senator Wendy Rogers, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure simply “enforces the law” and “underscores the importance to enforce the law,” arguing it clarifies cooperation between local and federal authorities for people who are already arrested. She told the committee the bill applies after arrest and is intended to improve public safety by ensuring coordination with federal agencies.

Opponents raised procedural and civil‑liberties concerns. Noah Schramm of the ACLU of Arizona said SB 10-55 “goes further” than existing statute and would create an absolute mandate that could force law enforcement to run status checks on arrestees regardless of whether officers have reason to suspect unlawful presence. He warned the bill’s structure could create legal liability for local agencies and “erode the essential firewall between local police and federal immigration enforcement.”

Community witnesses and advocates urged the committee to reject the bill. Christian Galia, a student at Arizona State University, told senators that "at least 32 people are confirmed to have died in ICE custody" and asked lawmakers not to “embolden ICE further.” Alyssa Lamontagne Owens, a resident of Mesa, said the bill “turns suspicion into law” and would make residents afraid to report crimes, arguing it would “turn every interaction with police into potential deportation.” Antonio Ramirez of Rural Arizona Action said the measure would expand cooperation with an agency he called “out of control.” Albert Rivera of Phoenix urged a no vote, saying the policy amounted to “persecuting people.”

Committee discussion also centered on whether SB 10-55 duplicates or conflicts with current statutes and prior litigation over SB 10-70. Staff and witnesses referenced existing statutory frameworks and attorney-general guidance that were developed after litigation, and cautioned that adding new mandatory language could create ambiguity and constitutional issues, including the risk that officers might prolong detentions to determine immigration status.

After public testimony and back‑and‑forth among senators over redundancy and safeguards, the committee voted 4 ayes and 3 nos to give SB 10-55 a due pass recommendation. Senators opposing the bill said the measure was unnecessary and would harm trust between police and immigrant communities. Supporters said it clarified and restored the rule of law for persons already arrested.

The committee’s recommendation sends SB 10-55 to the next stage of the legislative process, where further debate and amendments are possible.