Will she, or won’t she? That is the question Arizonans are asking about Governor Katie Hobbs and her veto stamp now that a bill that ensures state cooperation with the Trump Administration’s enforcement of federal immigration laws is headed to her desk.
The bill passed out of the House of Representatives today with full Republican support.
The AZ ICE Act, SB 1164, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen, prohibits state government entities from adopting or enforcing any policies that block or restrict law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities and their enforcement of federal immigration laws.
If cities, towns, or counties fail to comply, state lawmakers may file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General requesting an investigation, also known as a 1487. If the Attorney General’s investigation reveals state law was violated, then state-shared revenues may be withheld until compliance.
“I applaud my colleagues in both the House and Senate for supporting this vital action to help safeguard our communities from dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” said Petersen. “I also owe a big ‘thank you’ to our Sheriffs, especially Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes of the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, for continuous collaboration and support on this legislation. After worthwhile deliberation, the AZ ICE Act will soon be on the Governor’s desk for her consideration. For the good of our state, I hope she signs this bill. It’s time for the Governor to put politics and partisan animosity towards President Trump aside. Our citizens deserve nothing less than all levels of government cooperating to uphold our laws and protect innocent men, women, and children from the harms caused by the Biden Administration’s open border policies.”
The bill also requires county sheriffs and the Arizona Department of Corrections to comply with immigration detainer requests, preventing criminal illegal aliens from being released back on the streets. Additionally, law enforcement may enter into 287(g) agreements with the federal government.
In 2024, Hobbs beat, for the second year in a row, Governor Napolitano’s record of 58 bills vetoed in a single session, set back in 2005. In 2023, Hobbs did not just beat Napolitano’s record, but annihilated it by vetoing a whopping 143 bills, which was nearly triple the record-setting number vetoed by Napolitano.
“Campaigning in 2026 after vetoing border security legislation in 2025 makes no political sense, and the bill will absolutely save lives, prevent violent crimes like rape and assault from occurring, and save taxpayers money.” said one Capitol observer, who nevertheless predicted Hobbs would veto the measure, “But whoever pulls the strings on Hobbs will convince her that she needs to play to the hard-left in her party and oppose Trump on every possible measure, so I think a veto is extremely likely.”
