Pima County board directs staff to draft ordinance limiting federal immigration enforcement on county property, bans masked officers and opposes Marana ICE site

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 2 to direct county staff to prepare policy and ordinance language aimed at limiting federal immigration-enforcement activity on county-owned property, to require visible agency affiliation and badge numbers for officers on county land, and to adopt a resolution opposing a proposed immigrant detention center at the old Marana prison site.

Chair Allen introduced the measure saying county property — libraries, health clinics and parks — should be "places that are safe" for families and residents. After extensive public comment from more than 30 speakers, the board amended the motion to have county staff post a draft ordinance on or before Feb. 16, return to the board with a county policy for discussion on Feb. 17, and bring the ordinance back for a formal vote on March 3.

The board’s discussion mixed legal caution and public-safety concerns. Supervisor Scott said the county historically used federal funds to shelter legally processed asylum seekers and described the item as part of the county’s duty to "protect public health and safety." He cited cases of alleged improper conduct by federal agents and said the county must use its authority to safeguard county property. Supervisor Christie criticized the item as insufficiently thought through on enforcement, asking rhetorically, "What are we gonna do? Send in Tucson Police Department to draw their guns and fight?" and warning that poorly considered orders could increase volatility.

County staff and the county attorney said the board has authority to set rules for county-owned property, but acknowledged limits where other jurisdictions control zoning. The county attorney also committed to publish a draft ordinance in advance of the March 3 vote to provide the 15-day notice period required for an ordinance.

Public comment at the session was overwhelmingly in favor of restricting federal immigration operations and opposing the Marana site. Kristen Downing of Pima Resist ICE told the board her organization had collected "over 1,400 signatures" opposing the detention center. Human-rights and faith leaders described conditions in federal detention and urged local limits on enforcement on county land. "Unmasking, when officers wear masks without visible identification, people cannot verify authority," said Simone Holliday, who described national court rulings and human-rights concerns.

The board also considered a separate item to ban masking by law-enforcement officers on county property and require visible identification; that direction was approved and staff were tasked with drafting a legally compliant ordinance that includes narrow exceptions for legitimate public-health or safety PPE needs. Separately, the board approved Resolution 2026-4 opposing the opening of a private immigrant detention facility in Marana; the board requested the county attorney analyze any legal options such as public-nuisance approaches given limits on regulation within incorporated jurisdictions.

The next procedural steps are: county staff to post a draft ordinance on or before Feb. 16; a policy discussion to return to the board on Feb. 17; and the ordinance scheduled for a March 3 vote. The county attorney and county administrator agreed to brief the board on the county’s legal authority and public-health implications as follow-up.

Ending: The board’s action sets a timeline for staff to present concrete language and legal analysis. If the ordinance is later adopted, it would apply to county property and operations; it would not directly change zoning or land-use authority in the Town of Marana.