by Staff Reporter | Jun 19, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
An attorney with America First Legal (AFL), the nonprofit created by President Donald Trump’s policy chief Stephen Miller, is running for a seat in the Arizona House.
AFL senior counsel James Rogers is gunning to represent LD10. For the past five years he has been in court challenging faulty election processes and other red-meat Republican issues. With that history heavily promoted, Rogers campaigns as one with the potential to be the foremost election integrity expert in the legislature.
Rogers’ platform also focuses on what he calls “straightforward” conservative issues: affordability to encourage family growth, election integrity, purging gender ideology from schools, protecting the unborn, stopping illegal immigration, and defending gun ownership rights.
Since Republican State Rep. Ralph Heap won’t be returning to represent LD10 — he’s running for the Arizona Corporation Commission — Rogers and State Rep. Justin Olson are running together as a slate.
There’s a third Republican candidate in the mix: Ciara Anderson, who moved to Arizona in 2021 from Washington state. Anderson has served as a Republican precinct committeeman and LD10 executive board member, and founded a mothers-focused coalition through Turning Point Action.
Two are running on the Democratic side: Brian Calaway and Helen Hunter. The No Labels party has one candidate: David Scott.
Rogers, a sixth-generation Arizonan, takes credit for drafting key Republican-led legislation like Proposition 314, the Secure the Border Act approved by voters in the 2024 election. The law criminalized illegal migration into the state and gave the state authority to act on immigration matters: state and local law enforcement may arrest illegal aliens, and state judges may order deportations.
A similar law in Texas, Senate Bill 4, has been challenged in federal court and would determine the fate of Arizona’s law. So far, Texas’s law has withstood legal challenges.
Rogers was senior litigation counsel at the solicitor general’s office for former Attorney General Mark Brnovich during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 to 2022. In that time, Rogers led on lawsuits against former President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates and border policies.
Prior to serving under Brnovich, Rogers was a foreign service officer with the State Department from 2015 to 2021. According to his April 2025 testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence, Rogers endured retaliation for whistleblowing.
Rogers alleged that State Department leadership ignored Trump on policy to more thoroughly vet visa applicants during his first term, but that he complied and was punished for it through a denial of tenure. Rogers also reported that his rate of problematic visa issuances, such as overstays, was more than 50% lower than his colleagues’ while following the directive of Trump rather than his supervisors.
Rogers estimated that the number of visa overstays was two to four times higher than it would have been had State Department leadership complied with Trump’s orders.
“[T]he malfeasance of State Department consular managers during that time likely caused 900,000 to 1.4 million extra overstays that were easily avoidable. Most foreigners who overstay their visas do so with the intent of illegally immigrating and remaining in the United States long-term,” said Rogers. “To put that in perspective, ten U.S. states have populations of 1.4 million or less. In other words, consular managers working to subvert President Trump’s policies managed to add an entire state population’s worth of illegal aliens in just four years.”
Since joining AFL in 2022, Rogers has led on cases challenging the Biden administration, such as the alleged diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) discrimination that occurred within the federal government.
Rogers also testified before the House Judiciary Committee last March to discuss court-ordered immigration policy made through the landmark Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe (1982), which determined that states must permit children of illegal aliens to attend public school. Rogers argued that the decision was wrong, and that the legal framework used by the Supreme Court to overrule Roe v. Wade through Dobbs v. Jackson could be applied to overrule Plyler v. Doe.
“The Court’s role is to interpret the Constitution, not to serve as a policymaking body filling in the gaps left by legislative inaction,” said Rogers. “Where the Constitution’s text, history, and precedent all point in the same direction — and where the Court’s own analytical concessions compel application of a standard under which the challenged law would clearly survive — the Court must follow the law, not its own policy preferences.”
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by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen hailed a “victory for Arizona” on Monday after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Valenzuela dismissed all challenges to the Secure the Border Act — a voter-approved initiative known as Proposition 314.
The ruling, issued October 10 and electronically filed October 13, upheld the will of voters who passed the measure in November 2024. In a statement on X , Petersen said the decision upheld “the will of voters who passed Prop 314 to protect our communities from illegal crossings and fentanyl,” calling border security “non-negotiable.”
“President Donald Trump truly delivered the most secure border in U.S. history,” Petersen wrote. “If our nation ever sees a repeat of lawlessness from an administration like we witnessed with Biden-Harris, Arizona will be ready to uphold the rule of law.”
The lawsuit, Living United for Change in Arizona et al. v. State of Arizona, challenged several provisions of Proposition 314, arguing the law violated Arizona’s constitution. Plaintiffs included Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), the Arizona Center for Empowerment, and two individual plaintiffs.
According to court documents, the Secure the Border Act — approved by voters and enacted in November 2024 — created new state laws addressing immigration enforcement and public benefits eligibility.
Judge Valenzuela’s 10-page ruling rejected all three counts brought by the plaintiffs, determining that counts 1 and 2 were not “ripe” for review, as the challenged provisions are not currently enforceable; plaintiffs lacked standing to bring certain claims, particularly regarding separation of powers and legislative delegation arguments; and the SAVE Provision did not violate Arizona’s Revenue Source Rule, because participation in the federal verification program does not impose costs on state or local agencies.
The court concluded that the plaintiffs’ complaint “fails to state a claim on which relief can be granted” and dismissed it with prejudice, making the decision final under Arizona civil procedure rules.
The ruling allows Proposition 314 to stand as enacted by voters, although parts of the law will remain unenforceable until triggered by developments in Texas or another state with similar legislation. The decision represents a significant victory for Arizona lawmakers who championed the measure, including Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro, both of whom intervened in defense of the law.
Supporters say the ruling reinforces Arizona’s right to protect its borders and uphold voter-approved laws. For now, however, the court’s dismissal marks a legal and political win for backers of Proposition 314 — and for state leaders pushing for stricter border enforcement at the state level.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 13, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona’s top Republican lawmakers are asking the Trump administration to reimburse the state for more than $700 million spent on border security initiatives over the past several years.
Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro sent a letter this week to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, requesting repayment under the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill, which provides $10 billion for states to recover border-related expenses incurred during the Biden administration.
According to the letter, Arizona appropriated $599 million in 2021 and 2022 through the Border Security Fund, in addition to $145 million over five years for law enforcement and other enforcement efforts tied to the southern border. The funds were used to support sheriffs, the Department of Public Safety, and construction tied to border barriers.
“For four years, the Biden Administration failed to defend our border, leaving Arizona to shoulder the burden,” Petersen said in a statement. He argued that the investments made by the Legislature were necessary to protect residents and that taxpayers deserve reimbursement.
Earlier this year, Petersen joined a group of attorneys general on a border tour reviewing state and federal enforcement operations. He praised former President Donald Trump’s policies, calling them effective in reducing illegal crossings without additional legislation.
Montenegro also underscored the legislature’s commitment to border security, contrasting it with the approach taken by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. He pointed to the voter-approved Secure the Border Act as evidence of public support for stricter enforcement.
“Arizona voters made their voices clear when they overwhelmingly passed the Secure the Border Act that Democrats tried to block,” Montenegro said. “Thanks to President Trump and his administration, Washington is finally treating border security as a priority again, and Arizona taxpayers deserve to be reimbursed.”
If the state receives federal funds, legislative leaders said the money will be directed into Arizona’s General Fund and overseen by the legislature to ensure proper use.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Feb 14, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A group with ties to the terrorist organization Hamas, CAIR-AZ, was invited as honored guests of the Arizona Senate on Tuesday.
CAIR-AZ attended Senate proceedings for a proclamation honoring the deaths in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and Lebanon.
“This is a historic step for the Muslim community and CAIR-AZ, as we have worked tirelessly to get this proclamation passed,” stated the organization in an Instagram post.
The proclamation, SR1001, declared Arizona’s recognition and mourning of the loss of lives in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, and Congo due to the ongoing humanitarian crises. The proclamation declared February to be “a month of remembrance and solidarity” for those countries.
Preceding the proclamation was a prayer from Omar Al-Tawil, an imam at the Islamic Community Center of Tempe and a chaplain for Muslim students at Arizona State University.
SR1001 was introduced by Senator Analise Ortiz and co-sponsored by Sens. Bravo, Diaz, Miranda, and Sundareshan. Ortiz later appeared in photos with the CAIR-AZ activists celebrating the proclamation’s passage.
Those present included Khaled Beydoun, a pro-Hamas activist and Arizona State University associate law professor; Azza Abuseif, executive director of CAIR-AZ, lead organizer of Women’s March Phoenix, and Arizona State Director of NextGen America; Tarteel Alimam, executive administrator at CAIR-AZ; Zakir Siddiqi, co-chair of the Arizona Green Party and co-owner of the WhereUBean Coffee; and former lawmaker Martín Quezada, now the lawyer for CAIR-AZ.
Also present were representatives for the activist organizations AZ AANHPI for Equity, Our Instituto, AZ PACC, Progress Arizona, One Arizona, Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, and CHISPA Arizona.
In a press release, CAIR-AZ took credit for SR1001’s passage.
“At a time when the world bears witness to immense suffering and injustice, it is crucial to recognize and remember those who have perished due to violence, conflict, and humanitarian crises,” said Abuseif.
The inclusion of the group resulted in ire from Arizonans witnessing the display.
“Who’s bright idea was it to let terrorist-simps spread their propaganda on the AZ Senate floor?” asked one Arizonan.
In addition to advocating for Hamas, CAIR-AZ has taken to protesting against immigration enforcement efforts. The group participated in a protest against SB1164, or the “Arizona ICE Act.” This legislation allows the U.S. Attorney General to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. This would enable Arizona law enforcement to investigate, apprehend, and detain illegal aliens.
CAIR-AZ also advocated against Proposition 314, the “Secure the Border Act” approved by voters last November. The proposition requires state and local agencies to verify immigration status prior to giving out government benefits, makes it a crime for illegal aliens to apply for government benefits with false information, and enhances punishments for selling fentanyl produced outside the U.S. A portion of the proposition directing law enforcement to arrest illegal aliens remains unenforceable due to court orders in other states.
The national affiliate for CAIR-AZ, CAIR, is an entity of the Muslim brotherhood linked to Hamas activities.
CAIR leaders celebrated the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 23, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Immediately following the inauguration of a new President of the United States, a powerful Arizona lawmaker introduced legislation to assist federal efforts to secure the border.
On Tuesday, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen introduced the Arizona Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act (AZ ICE Act).
According to information from a press release, the bill would require “county sheriffs’ departments and the Arizona Department of Corrections to enter into 287(g) agreements with the federal government by January 1, 2026, to support enforcement of federal immigration laws. These agreements allow local law enforcement to help identify and process noncitizens who are in local custody for violating laws. Additionally, the legislation requires law enforcement to comply with immigration detainer requests, preventing criminal illegal aliens from being released back on the streets. The bill also directs funding to law enforcement to ensure that there is sufficient funding in place for implementation.”
In a statement that accompanied his release, Petersen said, “Ending the border crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. This commonsense legislation will not only allow federal and local law enforcement to work together to protect our citizens, but it will also prevent government obstruction. Arizona voters spoke loud and clear last November. They overwhelmingly approved the ‘Secure the Border Act’ that Republicans referred to the ballot because they want the law enforced, and they want safe communities. I look forward to the AZ ICE Act passing the Legislature, and I’m hopeful the Governor will listen to our citizens by signing the bill when it hits her desk.”
Petersen’s release revealed that “Congress enacted section 287(g) in 1996 during the Clinton Administration. Under 287(g), local law enforcement agencies enter into agreements with the federal government to perform specified immigration functions. Local officers then receive formal training from the federal government on the scope of these functions.”
The Senate President’s latest legislative offering continues his leadership on the border lawlessness that permeated throughout the tenure of the Biden administration. Petersen supported many efforts to help Arizona law enforcement and communities protect citizens from the harms created from the porous border, including the Secure the Border Act, which was passed by Republican lawmakers last year and sent to the voters for the November General Election. Arizonans overwhelmingly voted for this ballot measure, which gave local law enforcement more resources and tools to fight back against the effects of illegal immigration around the state – one of those effects being the pervasive spread of fentanyl by cartels and drug smugglers due to the open border.
While Petersen and Republicans at the Arizona Legislature now have a partner in the White House in President Donald J. Trump for their collective efforts to secure the border and safeguard communities around their state, they will likely face continued resistance from Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. Hobbs has opposed most Republican actions to take action on the border from the state’s perspective and purview. Now, though, that Hobbs’ window for re-election in this political cycle has commenced, she may take more steps to align on more areas over border security and enforcement than before in an attempt to convince a majority of voters that she can work across the aisle on matters of significance to the state.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
