by Matthew Holloway | Apr 20, 2025 | Must Read, News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a stark contrast to her efforts to rebrand herself as tough on the border, Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed the Arizona Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement (ICE) Act, SB 1164. The bill would have required that every police department and sheriff’s office in the state comply with detainer orders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Amidst her ongoing deliberate obstruction of the legislative process, labeled as a “moratorium” on signing new bills, Hobbs vetoed an additional 32 bills as well.
In Hobbs’ veto letter, she addressed Senate President Warren Petersen, seeming to attempt a conciliatory tone and saying in part, “You and I both disagreed with the previous administration’s immigration policies, and we may both disagree with the next administration’s immigration policies. I have worked productively with the federal government to secure our border, stopping fentanyl at our ports of entry through the Task Force SAFE, disrupting cartel operations with Operation Desert Guardian, and working across all levels of government to keep communities safe with the Border Coordination Office.”
She claimed, “I will continue to work with the federal government on true border security, but we should not force state and local officials to take marching orders from Washington.”
The Republican State Governor’s Association’s Rapid Response Director Kollin Crompton released a statement in response to Hobbs’ veto saying, “Katie Hobbs’ veto is no surprise — her record on the border is pitiful. Hobbs tried to fool Arizonans into thinking she was a border hawk, but this shameful veto shows she is unserious about addressing the border and protecting Arizonans from the violence and drugs coming into the state. She waited until 7:00 pm on Friday of a holiday weekend to try to hide from her open borders record. Arizonans are sick of Katie Hobbs’ window dressing — they deserve a governor who will actually work to secure the border and keep them and their families safe.”
As reported by AZ Free News in November of last year, Hobbs stated during her disjointed kick off of Task Force SAFE, “We will not be participating in misguided efforts that harm our communities. And I’ve been incredibly clear about that.”
Petersen described the bill as a measure to make Arizona a “partner and not an obstacle,” to the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration law.
“It deals with this first wave of deportation that the Trump administration is focused on, which is removing the most dangerous criminals from our streets,” Petersen explained.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Last week, Arizona lawmakers passed SB 1164, also known as the “AZ ICE Act.” The bill, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), seeks to strengthen cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement. It now awaits consideration by Governor Katie Hobbs.
The legislation, which passed the Arizona House along party lines with full Republican support, prohibits state and local government entities from enacting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a process for enforcing compliance: if a city or county is suspected of violating the law, a complaint may be filed with the Arizona Attorney General, triggering an investigation under Arizona Revised Statutes §41-194.01—commonly referred to as a “1487 investigation.” Jurisdictions found in violation could have state-shared revenues withheld until they comply.
“I applaud my colleagues… for supporting this vital action to help safeguard our communities from dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” said Petersen. “It’s time for the Governor to put politics aside… and protect innocent men, women, and children.”
The AZ ICE Act prohibits state and local government agencies from blocking cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; authorizes the Arizona Attorney General to investigate and penalize non-compliant jurisdictions; requires county sheriffs and the Arizona Department of Corrections to honor immigration detainer requests; and it allows law enforcement agencies to enter into 287(g) agreements with the federal government, deputizing local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement duties.
The AZ ICE Act mirrors efforts in other states to support federal immigration enforcement amid ongoing national debates about border security and states’ roles in immigration policy. Proponents argue such measures are necessary to prevent the release of undocumented immigrants with criminal records and to ensure local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bill now heads to Governor Hobbs’ desk. If signed, the AZ ICE Act would take effect later this year. As the immigration debate continues, Arizona remains a key player in shaping the conversation on border policy, enforcement, and public safety.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 13, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
As news reports from various sources and DHS officials such as Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan publicly extol the effectiveness of the Border Patrol in shutting down human smuggling, Border Patrol is sharing more reports and video of their apprehensions than ever before for greater transparency. On top of that, they also appear to be actively mocking or ‘trolling’ the criminals online.
In one such post to X, Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector Sean McGoffin shared a side-splittingly humorous take on an apprehension of a U.S. citizen with two prior alien smuggling arrests.
McGoffin posted, “Camo clothes don’t blend well with upholstery,” addressing the five desert camouflage-clad illegal immigrants captured with their smuggler, who were shown in images crammed into the trunk of a sedan.
The USBP Chief said in a statement, “A U.S. citizen with two prior alien smuggling arrests was again arrested trying to smuggle 5 illegal aliens through the State Route 86 immigration checkpoint. She now faces a slew of smuggling, harboring, concealment, and transportation charges under 8 USC 1324. The illegal aliens, despite 3 being dressed in camouflage, were easily spotted attempting to hide in the back seat. All 5 aliens face Inadmissibility charges, with one earning a Re-entry charge under 8 USC 1326.”
A previous post on April 9th struck a similarly jocular tone with what reads like a standard joke set up, “What happens when a cartel foot guide, a cartel affiliate, and a gang member all climb over some metal bars and into the country illegally? They get arrested because we don’t play!”
In another post on April 8th, the USBP Chief openly mocked a captured cartel smuggler for who was caught carrying “devout artifacts associated with cartel culture and displayed matching tattoos.”
The post read, “Bad Spirits will not triumph over our Nation’s Guardians! 3/29: Three Points Border Patrol Station agents arrested a human smuggler who illegally entered the U.S. through the desert on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. This smuggler, who has numerous immigration violations, was identified as a faction member of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. He carried devout artifacts associated with cartel culture and displayed matching tattoos. Jail will afford him plenty of time to think about his direction in life, as he will be charged with re-entry of a removed alien under 8 USC 1326.“
An April Fools’ Day post definitely set the tone for the more entertaining updates as well, showing a likely AI-generated image depicting McGoffin mounted upon a “Premier Patrol Llama” citing “the rising costs of maintaining horses.”
The new direction in social media may owe to the appointment of Sean McGoffin, who replaced the previous Chief John Modlin, upon his promotion to acting Deputy Commissioner. Or as a musical post to X from the White House on Thursday may illustrate, the shift in tone could be from the top-down.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 9, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
During remarks from the Trump administration’s Border Czar Tom Homan at a joint session of the Arizona legislature, House and Senate Democrats abruptly left the chamber carrying signs allegedly naming “legal residents and students who have been disappeared by Homan and ICE.”
The Democrat lawmakers then exited the House of Representatives to join news crews with between 10 and 20 demonstrators present to protest Homan’s speech.
In a press release from Arizona House Democrats, Senator Catherine Miranda (D-LD1) stated, “It’s disturbing that my colleagues are giving a platform to someone who has caused so much harm to our community.” She claimed, “Tom Homan isn’t just deporting people, he’s responsible for kidnappings, disappearances, and the deportation of individuals for reasons as unjust as having tattoos, protesting, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In his remarks, Homan directly addressed the Democrat narrative saying, “I try not to curse much, if I offended anybody I don’t care. I don’t, because I get irritated when I started talking about the false narrative being pushed by the left.“ Speaking to the Democrat House Members and Senators directly he said, “Thank you for making my day. I love haters. They make my day every day.”
Referring to them later he said, “Under the Biden administration, half of the men and children? They were smuggled into this country. Taken out the hands of their families, giving them to a criminal cartel to be smuggled into this country. And we’re the bad guys?”
“All these people who just walked out, what did they do? Did they speak up about that? Did they speak up to the fact that 300,000 of these children can’t be found because they’re released to unvetted sponsors? The last administration had one goal: process quick, release quick, because there’s no overcrowding. We can say ‘the board is secure, nothing to see here,’” said Homan.
Homan told the joint session, “So at the end of historic immigration, where millions of people come across the border, 9 out of 10 of them will end up with an order of removal from a federal judge. That’s why there’s going to be massive deportation operations. You can’t demand due process and ignore the decision at the end of that due process, which is an order removal. The law requires it. That’s exactly what’s going to happen. There are gonna be consequences. And if we don’t do it, if we don’t do it, we send the whole world a message, enter United States illegally. It’s a crime.”
He later noted, “It’s not okay to be in this country illegally. And people hate on me for that. If you’re in the country illegally you should be looking over your shoulder. It’s not okay to enter this country illegally, it’s a crime.“
Homan observed, “We will not apologize for sending two plane loads of terrorists out of this country. I cannot believe any judge will order anybody bringing those two plane loads of terrorists back to this country. President Trump put America first. Of course we’re litigating that case. We just had a big win on that yesterday.”
“We’re going to keep having wins because President Trump’s put America first. He’s not going to apologize for removing terrorists from this country ever. And I will not rest until every member of TDA and MS -13s are eradicated from this country. Then I’ll take a day off. But until then, hate on me all you want,” concluded Homan. “I know I got a lot of haters in this room, but I don’t give a shit. We’re gonna get this job done with no apologies.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector Sean McGoffin posted to social media Thursday detailed the apprehension of a Phoenix couple in Benson, AZ.
According to McGoffin’s account, a Phoenix couple, allegedly on a trip to Bisbee, AZ were stopped by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol in Benson and were found to be transporting three illegal immigrants. Border Patrol working with the AZ DPS took the driver and his girlfriend into custody along with the three illegal immigrants.
In his post McGoffin wrote, “The driver claimed he and his girlfriend were picking up some belongings in Bisbee when the 3 illegal aliens from Mexico asked for a ride.” Reportedly this wasn’t the driver’s first brush with human smuggling however, as McGoffin added, “Apparently, he didn’t learn not to smuggle aliens when he was sent to prison in 2022 for the same crime.”
According to the release, both the driver and his girlfriend are now facing charges under 8 USC 1324 for smuggling illegal aliens and the three illegal aliens will face charges under 8 USC 1182 for Alien Inadmissibility as well as re-entry restrictions under section 212 of immigration law.
McGoffin noted that the incident is under investigation by the Tucson Sector Border Patrol working in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona under U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. According to USCBP statistics, the Border Patrol has arrested 4,323 Criminal Non-Citizens encountered from Fiscal year 2025 to February, 289 of whom had outstanding warrants or wants, out of a total of 193,164 encounters including both Title 8 Apprehensions and Title 42 Expulsions.
The arrests are just the latest in a series of apprehensions in southern Arizona as previously reported by AZ Free News, that have seen local and state authorities working in conjunction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Later the same day, McGoffin shared video footage of agents assigned to the Willcox Border Patrol Station interdicting and arresting a human smuggler who was transporting four illegal immigrants into the U.S. including one in the trunk of the car. He wrote, “Luckily, agents where there to thwart the illegal operation potentially saving lives.”
The smuggler will also be charged under 8 USC 1324 and the illegal aliens he was transporting will likewise be charged under 8 USC 1182. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
