Following Good's death, Arizona Republicans introduce pro-ICE legislation

An early-morning protest outside the Arizona State Capitol set the tone for the 2026 legislative session on Monday, promising staunch and ongoing opposition to increased immigration enforcement across the state, as Arizona Republicans introduced legislation to protect immigration agents as they expand their work in the state.

The bill would make it a felony to interfere with the work in progress of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. It follows reports of planned increased ICE operations across metro Phoenix and the killing of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE agent on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis and the shooting of two other people by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Portland — incidents that have ignited nationwide protests.

On the first day lawmakers returned to session, as legislators and local officials readied a press conference to announce the bill's introduction, protesters stood their ground, calling for an end to immigration enforcement that has tripled in Arizona over the past year. 

An analysis of ICE arrest data by CALÓ News shows a significant escalation in enforcement activity in Arizona during the 2025 fiscal year, with more than 6,000 arrests recorded — the bulk of which occurred soon after Trump returned to office.

While the previous year averaged 149 arrests per month, the monthly average more than tripled during the U.S. government’s fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, reaching an average of 513 arrests.

Monday’s capital protest forced Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, Republican lawmakers and reporters inside the building, where Miller shared his support for the bill.

Last year’s legislative session saw bills of a similar caliber introduced, some of which mirrored the partially struck-down SB 1070 from 2010. Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, vetoed every single one that made it to her desk. 

Arizona Republicans, however, managed to get Proposition 314 approved by voters in November following Hobbs’ vetoes. The measure makes unauthorized immigration a state crime and allows state and police officers to enforce federal immigration law, among other statutes. The measure is set to go into effect as soon as a similar law in Texas clears legal hurdles. 

With 2026 primaries hanging in the balance, this year could follow that same approach.

Hobbs’ office told CALÓ News late last week that the state will not participate in “indiscriminately rounding up individuals” or enforcement activities that violate civil rights and harm communities.

Hobbs was expected to deliver her State of the State address on Monday.