Arizona Senate Advances Trio of Bills to Strengthen Federal Immigration Strategies and Enhance Border Security

On Monday, Arizona Senate Republicans advanced significant legislation aimed at bolstering the state’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Three bills, spearheaded by Senator John Kavanagh (R-LD3), are intended to improve border security and safeguard Arizona communities amidst growing concerns over local detention facility capacities.

These bills have successfully passed through the Arizona Senate and will now face deliberation in the House of Representatives.

The first piece of legislation, SB 1294, focuses on leasing the vacant Marana Prison to the U.S. government for just $1 annually. This measure aims to alleviate overcrowding in state detention centers by allowing the federal government to house criminal illegal aliens in close proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Kavanagh advocated for the bill, stating, “This measure is a no-brainer. The federal government should have access to the empty Marana Prison to house these dangerous criminal illegal aliens so that Arizonans are protected from further threats.” The bill also allows for lease termination if the state requires the facility for its own use in the future.

The second bill, SB 1299, introduces a Law Enforcement Personnel Grant Program, allocating $2 million from the state’s general fund to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for immigration-related training costs. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of officers handling immigration matters, thus improving public safety across Arizona. “It’s our duty as lawmakers to support our law enforcement with resources to protect our citizens, and this bill does just that,” Kavanagh said. He emphasized that better training equipped officers to protect both themselves and the community.

Lastly, SB 1610 mandates that county detention facilities share inmate information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This bill is designed to facilitate federal deportation efforts by streamlining communication between local detention centers and ICE, enabling effective removals of individuals with prior criminal offenses or immigration violations. “Voters made it very clear in the last election – they are FED UP with the massive tsunami of people who have been entering this country illegally,” Kavanagh asserted, reinforcing the need for these legislative measures.

Through these proposed bills, Senator Kavanagh reiterated a commitment to collaborating with federal authorities to strengthen immigration enforcement and enhance protection for Arizona residents.