Christy Unveils Local Officials’ Gaslighting on Immigration Issues

Steve Christy, a Republican member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, expresses optimism about the incoming federal administration as 2025 approaches. His perspective sharply contrasts with that of several regional leaders who have raised concerns about the current immigration situation.

Notably, Board Chair Adelita Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, County Attorney Laura Conover, and Sheriff Chris Nanos have openly discussed the troubling implications of federal immigration policies. Christy accuses these leaders of “gaslighting,” suggesting they mislead the public regarding the realities of non-citizen transit through Pima County.

He recalls claims made by local officials stating that the many non-citizens using Pima County’s welcoming centers were merely passing through at a significant taxpayer cost of over $130 million. He challenges the narrative that asylum seekers remain in local shelters like Casa Alitas for brief periods before moving on to join sponsors elsewhere.

Recent admissions from the county suggest that a small percentage of non-citizens—estimated to be around 1%, or roughly 6,000—have actually chosen to stay in the area. Concerning the rhetoric surrounding possible mass deportations, local leaders warn of “deep concerns” among families, educators, and law enforcement. Christy questions why there is fear about immigration enforcement if these individuals are merely temporary visitors.

This situation creates a dichotomy. Either the claims about the transient nature of non-citizens are false, or there is no real community concern about immigration, leading to an exaggerated narrative by local leaders. In either case, Christy sees this as a clear example of gaslighting.

In a recent statement, Sheriff Nanos asserted that his department does not engage in abortion or deportation enforcement. Similarly, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar reinforced that crime rates in the city are not influenced by the immigrant population. Yet, this raises questions about the level of concern regarding the estimated 1% of non-citizens in the community.

Christy critiques the asylum-seeking process as flawed, suggesting that individuals can gain entry to the United States through rehearsed statements rather than legitimate means. He challenges local leaders to reconsider their stance if there were incentives to facilitate the return of undocumented residents, reflecting broader national sentiments against what some view as lax immigration policies.

Ultimately, Christy argues that Democratic leaders are misleading the public about the impacts of illegal immigration. He contends they have, over the past five years, contributed to a culture of illegal immigration rather than addressing the underlying issues.