Phoenix Mayor Declares Non-Cooperation with Mass Deportations Amid Legal Challenges
PHOENIX, AZ – In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s promises of mass deportations, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has firmly stated that the city will not allocate any resources to support these efforts. Emphasizing a commitment to public safety, Mayor Gallego declared, "As long as I’m mayor, Phoenix will not use its police department—or any city resources whatsoever—to assist in mass deportation efforts."
However, this declaration faces scrutiny due to Arizona’s stringent immigration laws. Councilmember Jim Waring warned that current state regulations compel local law enforcement to engage with federal immigration authorities, complicating the city’s stance. He cited the controversial SB 1070 law, which mandates that officers check the immigration status of individuals they arrest and certain detained persons if reasonable suspicion arises. Waring expressed that this legal landscape prevents Phoenix from becoming a sanctuary city, stating, "The city of Phoenix cannot be a sanctuary city."
Mayor Gallego noted past efforts to establish sanctuary city status in 2017, which ultimately failed because of legal obligations. Nevertheless, she pointed to policy changes made at that time as reassurance that Phoenix would not partake in mass deportations. These policies clarified that the police would not inquire about the immigration status of victims or witnesses not involved in arrests.
Arizona remains without any designated sanctuary cities, as attempts in Tucson and Flagstaff have also stalled. The ongoing discussion highlights the tension between local policy aspirations and state-imposed legal frameworks regarding immigration enforcement.
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Photo credit www.azfamily.com
