Senator Ruben Gallego Fails to Respond to Veteran Detained by ICE
AZ ICE Act passes out of committee, heads to Senate floor
Senator Warren Petersen (R-LD14) has successfully advanced Arizona Senate Bill 1164, known as the Arizona Immigration, Cooperation, and Enforcement Act (Arizona ICE Act), out of committee with a party-line vote. This legislation mandates state and local law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities, particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in detaining individuals who have immigration holds.
Before we examine the legislation further, it was reported during the hearing that a veteran is currently being held by ICE, and his representative, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), has not responded to the veteran's family. This is bombshell news given Gallego is himself a veteran and first generation American.
VETERAN HELD IN CUSTODY BY ICE
In a case drawing significant public attention, U.S. Army veteran Marlon Parris, a legal permanent resident and decorated Iraq War veteran, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near his home in Laveen, Arizona. Parris, who served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged, has lived in the United States since childhood.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Parris has been a U.S. resident since the late 1990s. Following his military service, he was convicted in 2011 of a nonviolent drug-related offense and served five years in prison. Upon his release in 2016, Parris received a “Letter of No Interest” from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, indicating he would not face deportation due to his honorable service and the nature of his conviction. Despite this assurance, Parris was detained while running errands near his home.
Parris’ detention has garnered national news and widespread condemnation from veterans’ organizations and lawmakers, raising the question: where is Senator Ruben Gallego, a veteran himself?
The wife of the veteran and her attorney spoke out against SB1164, citing their personal struggle as a direct consequence of current policies. The veteran has been detained since January 22nd.
Her attorney stated that they have reached out to U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego’s office for assistance but have yet to receive a response. “We are coming up on a month of this, and nothing has truly progressed so far,” the wife said.
State 48 News reached out to Gallego’s office but has yet to receive a response.
While they continue to seek a resolution, Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers advised the wife that Gallego’s office remains their best course of action, given the husband's military service.
KEY PROVISIONS OF SB1164
Mandatory Detention: Law enforcement agencies are required to hold individuals with federal immigration detainers for up to 48 hours, facilitating their transfer to ICE custody.
Prohibition of Non-Cooperation Policies: The bill forbids state agencies, counties, cities, and towns from enacting policies that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Petersen, the bill’s sponsor, asserts that SB 1164 is essential for public safety, ensuring that Arizona collaborates with federal efforts to remove undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. Petersen emphasized, “It’s just simply making sure that someone who has committed a state crime who is an illegal immigrant will be deported by ICE.”
State Senator Catherine Miranda, expressed concerns that the bill could lead to racial profiling and erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Miranda warned that such measures might deter individuals from reporting crimes or serving as witnesses due to fear of deportation, potentially making communities less safe.
During the hearing, State Senator Sally Gonzales stated that she was “racially profiled” by individuals at the Capitol Museum during protests last month. State 48 has contacted the museum but has not received a response. We have asked numerous officials but are unable to obtain an incident report or further information.
PUBLIC RESPONSE
The bill has sparked significant public outcry, with various groups rallying at the Arizona Capitol to protest its advancement. Organizations have vowed to continue their demonstrations, emphasizing the potential negative impacts on immigrant communities and the broader implications for civil rights. There have been various protests daily since President Trump was sworn into office.
Channel 12 captured good crowd footage, especially calling out the AZ ICE provision.
Senator Wendy Rogers captured footage of protestors attempting to gain access inside the Senate.
Senate Communications issued the following statement regarding the crowd:
This afternoon, the Senate experienced a large presence of protestors outside of the building in anticipation of a bill being heard in committee. DPS and Senate Security have discretion to control the flow of people into the building to maintain the safety of all individuals inside and outside of the premises. DPS and Senate Security exercised this discretion based on aggressive behavior displayed by protestors, including but not limited to, protestors using force at the front doors of the Senate to enter the premises, instead of heeding instructions from law enforcement on safe and orderly entry. As a result, DPS and Senate Security implemented precautionary measures while still allowing as many members of the public to enter the building for public testimony as possible. Prior to the aggressive behavior demonstrated by protestors, there was no limit on Senate building access today.
The bill passed out of committee along party lines. If enacted, the legislation would solidify Arizona’s stance on immigration enforcement, mandating statewide cooperation with federal authorities.
Watch the committee hearing here.