Statewide Leaders and Rural Arizonans Demand Ban on Masked ICE Agents; Amendments to SB1635 Blocked

FULL PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

Phoenix, AZ – On Thursday, Feb. 26, community members from across Arizona stood at the

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State Capitol demanding that lawmakers take action to ban ICE agents from concealing their identities while operating in Arizona and entering our neighborhoods.

Residents from Cochise County, Yavapai County, Pima County, Pinal County, and the Greater Phoenix area traveled hours to attend floor proceedings related to SB1635 and to support amendments that would have required federal agents to show their faces while conducting enforcement in Arizona communities.

Representative Mariana Sandoval introduced an amendment in the House to prohibit officers from wearing masks while performing law enforcement duties. It was rejected along party lines.

“Police have the power to detain, arrest and use force,” Sandoval said. “With that authority comes the absolute responsibility to remain identifiable to the public they are sworn to protect and serve. When officers conceal their faces during routine duties, it undermines transparency and erodes community trust. Worse, it sends a message of intimidation that is un-American.”

Senator Catherine Miranda offered a similar amendment to SB1635.

“Today, I offered an amendment to SB1635, a bill that would criminalize neighbors for warning each other when enforcement operations are happening in their communities,” Miranda said. “That amendment would have required transparency. It would have required ICE agents to identify themselves. No more masks. No more hiding while they kill.”

Her amendment was not heard.

Miranda also shared a personal experience that underscored the fear many families describe.

“Weeks ago, I arrived home to find two unmarked black vehicles parked outside my driveway and two agents standing near my lawn,” she said. “To this day, I don't know why they were there, but I know how it made me feel. I felt fear. I felt unsafe. I felt intimidated by my own government. That feeling, that uncertainty, is not new for many families in our communities. It is daily life.”

Miranda added, “If you carry the power to detain, deport or use force, you should not be allowed to hide your identity. Our message is clear. No badges without faces.”

Tara Clayton, Cochise County organizer for Rural Arizona Action, described the impact in rural communities.

“In small towns, trust is personal. We know our deputies. We see them at school events, at the grocery store, at church. Trust is built face to face,” Clayton said. “When agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enter our neighborhoods wearing masks with the power to detain, deport and use force, it does not feel like accountability. It feels like fear.”

Eric Andiola of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network said the demand is basic transparency.

“What we're asking for is the minimum,” Andiola said. “Law enforcement people who are roaming in our communities, literally snatching people off the streets, we can't see their faces. Obviously, our people, our communities, are going to be terrified of them. This is the bare minimum for them to take those masks off and show who they are.”

Pablo Correa, Co Founder and Executive Director of Rural Arizona Action, criticized legislative leadership for blocking debate.

“Amendments have been submitted in both the House and the Senate, and leadership actively chose to vote against it and skipped it altogether in the Senate,” Correa said. “Yesterday, House Republicans voted down an amendment to HB2862 that would have banned ICE agents from wearing masks to conceal their identity. Not a single one of them voted to hold ICE accountable.”

Correa also tied the broader legislative agenda to federal enforcement priorities.

“These bills have everything to do with helping the Trump administration meet its quota of three thousand arrests a day, and nothing to do with public safety or improving the lives of Arizonans,” he said.

Despite the outcome, speakers made clear that advocacy will continue.

“We have statewide representation waiting for SB1635,” organizers said at the close of the press conference. “We will continue to be here, whether that's next week or the next or the next.”

The event concluded with chants from attendees:

“No more fear. Unmask ICE.”

For media inquiries

Kassandra Alvarez

Communications Director

kassandra@ruralazaction.org 

Rural Arizona Action