Senate President Exposes Soaring Costs of Illegal Immigration on Arizona Taxpayers

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has raised concerns about the significant financial impact of illegal immigration on the state. In a recent discussion, he referenced a study from Denver, Colorado, which detailed the city’s expenditures related to undocumented immigrants.

Petersen contrasted Denver’s “sanctuary city” framework with Arizona’s approach, which was solidified by the passage of Proposition 314—an initiative aimed at enhancing border security. He asserted that claims suggesting enforcement of immigration laws would drain state funds are misleading. “The cost of illegal immigration to Arizona is $2 billion. The cost of enforcement is significantly less,” he stated, emphasizing that voters rejected the media narrative by supporting the border security measure nearly two to one.

The report highlighted by Petersen was conducted by the Common Sense Institute. It revealed that Denver allocated $356 million in taxpayer funds for illegal immigrants, averaging nearly $8,000 per foreign national. This expenditure represents a striking eight percent of the city’s 2025 budget.

Additionally, data from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimated that illegal immigration costs Arizona taxpayers approximately $3.19 billion annually. This translates to a burden of about $1,189 for every household in the state. Educational expenses accounted for a significant portion, costing $1.36 billion, while over half a billion dollars went toward policing, legal, and correctional services.

As of 2023, an estimated 453,000 illegal immigrants resided in Arizona, with their households contributing to the education system by enrolling 109,602 students in local schools. The passage of Proposition 314 last month revealed a clear public sentiment; it gained almost 63% support from voters. This measure equips local law enforcement with enhanced resources to effectively address illegal immigration and safeguard residents against associated risks, particularly in light of challenges noted over the past four years.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.