Tucson, Arizona, has taken a bold stand against federal immigration enforcement, passing a municipal law that prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from using city-owned or controlled property for civil enforcement activities without a judicial warrant. The move, approved unanimously by the city council in March 2026, follows the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother of three, by an immigration agent in Minneapolis in January. Mayor Regina Romero, a Democrat, declared, "You cannot compromise with crazy. You cannot compromise with unconstitutional."
Tucson is not alone in this effort; cities like Seattle and Providence have enacted similar measures amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. However, Tucson faces unique challenges as a progressive city in a state with a Republican-controlled legislature. Arizona has a 2016 law, SB 1487, that allows any state legislator to challenge local laws they deem conflicting with state statutes. If the attorney general agrees, the city must rescind the law or risk losing up to half of its state funding — over 30% of Tucson's budget.
Political Dynamics in Arizona
Arizona presents a complex political landscape. While the state voted for Donald Trump in 2024 (52-47), it has Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and both U.S. senators. The legislature, however, remains narrowly Republican. This red-state-blue-city tension has historical roots, with Tucson often clashing with state lawmakers over issues like gun control and Mexican American studies.
Mayor Romero, the first woman and first Hispanic mayor of Tucson, emphasized the local impact of immigration policies. "We're 60 miles away from the border. Mexico is our number one trading partner, contributing nearly $2 billion to our economy," she said. Trump's tariffs have further strained the city's economy, she added.
Republican Response
Republican state senators Warren Petersen, John Kavanagh, and TJ Shope invoked SB 1487 to challenge Pima County's similar anti-ICE rule, though Tucson expects to be targeted next. State Representative Quang Nguyen, who chairs the House judiciary committee, has filed four such complaints, including one against Phoenix for its own anti-ICE law. "I consider Arizona a state of law and order," Nguyen said. "It's very difficult for me to see city attorneys not following state law."
The 1487 process has been used 36 times since 2016, all by Republicans, targeting issues from gun confiscation to pandemic restrictions. Critics argue it stifles local governance. Katie Belanger of the Local Solutions Support Center called it "a vague threat that makes local officials question whether they can take bold action."
Future Implications
As Arizona's political landscape shifts — with Democrats now holding top statewide offices — the dynamic may change. Political consultant Matt Grodsky noted, "If we manage to flip the legislature, you'd have a blue governor, blue legislature, and blue cities. That could be fun." Until then, cities like Tucson must navigate a delicate balance between local autonomy and state preemption.
