Arizona Community Joins Forces with ICE for Enhanced Cooperation

By Staff Reporter |

The town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, has officially pledged its cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a decisive vote on Tuesday, the town council passed the resolution 6-1, aligning with federal mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration.

The town’s resolution cited alarming statistics, referencing over 647,000 illegal immigrants who have pending charges or convictions for violent crimes in the U.S. This statistic was presented as justification for the local government’s stance. The resolution emphasized a commitment to the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those vulnerable to criminal activities such as human trafficking and drug distribution. It further stated, “the Town will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, recognizing that there can be conflicts between federal and state laws.”

This resolution also reinforced Fountain Hills’ decision not to become a sanctuary city, a designation that some municipalities in Arizona have adopted. The council pledged to seek assistance from the U.S. Attorney General’s office to protect town employees from liability related to their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Council member Allen Skillicorn introduced the resolution, citing his experience as a former state legislator in Illinois. “My commitment is to our town and keeping our town safe from crime,” he stated during the meeting.

However, the resolution did not sail through without dissent. Councilwoman Peggy McMahon questioned the implications of the resolution, suggesting it unfairly accused local law enforcement of failing to enforce the law. “Are you implying the town and the sheriffs are not committed to cooperating with enforcing laws?” McMahon asserted, arguing that the resolution was not needed and could potentially encourage racial profiling in the community.

Adding to the debate, Councilman Brenda Kalivianakis expressed skepticism about the need for such a resolution. She labeled it a “solution looking for a problem” and criticized it as a distraction from more pressing issues facing the town. “Why are we talking about things that don’t matter?” she questioned. Kalivianakis’s concerns reflect a broader skepticism among some council members who believe the emphasis on immigration enforcement does not align with the community’s priorities.

In a related development, the town council also voted 5-2 on the same day to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as the use of gender identity-based pronouns, highlighting a contentious atmosphere within the council regarding social issues.