Activists say they were barred from Capitol for opposing Arizona ICE Act

Monday, more than 500 protesters chanted outside the Arizona Capitol in opposition to a bill that would require local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then, after making their voices heard outside the building, many planned to speak during a state senate committee hearing about the bill.

When they tried to enter, activists said, they were barred from doing so.

“We had a bunch of people who were already registered to speak and they weren’t letting anyone in,” said Gina Mendez, an organizer with Living United for Change Arizona. “So, we’re like, ‘Yo, what the heck is going on?'”

According to a press release from Senate Republicans spokesperson Kim Quintero, senate security and the Arizona Department of Public Safety “implemented precautionary measures” in response to “aggressive behavior displayed by protesters” that included “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.” Quintero added that security “still allow(ed) as many members of the public to enter the building for public testimony as possible.”

Mendez disputed that characterization, which she called “really disrespectful.” She suggested that security “literally just locked us out” because Republicans didn’t want to deal with a host of people speaking against the bill. She said more than 20 people were registered to speak but prevented from entering the building.

“There’s a process and we’re trying to use our right to the process to speak out,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to see that. Republicans here at the Capitol are shutting down the voices of community leaders. These are the tactics we have to deal with on a year-to-year basis.”

Quintero did not respond to a request for comment on Mendez’s version of events. GOP state Sen. Wendy Rogers tweeted a short video that she claimed showed protesters trying “to break into our Arizona Senate,” though it showed only protesters outside the doors while a security officer locked them. No protesters appeared to be trying to force their way in.

Protesters tried to break into our Arizona Senate.
Security doing great job. pic.twitter.com/UXhzhpBE5t

— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) February 17, 2025

The bill – Senate Bill 1164, otherwise known as the Arizona ICE Act – is sponsored by Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and would mandate that local law enforcement agencies enter into legal agreements codifying their cooperation with ICE. Opponents have said the bill will lead to the kind of racial profiling that was rampant during the days of Arizona’s infamous Senate Bill 1070 and former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security on Monday. However, even some who did make it into the committee hearing were prevented from speaking. Only three people – Noah Schramm of ACLU of Arizona; Tyler Montague, a longtime Arizona Republican Party precinct committeeman and activist; and Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, the wife of a U.S. veteran detained by ICE – were allowed to speak in opposition to the bill. No one spoke in favor, though many were registered in support of the bill.

Anyone can request to speak at a committee hearing, though committee chairpersons do have the ability to limit public testimony. The chair of the Military Affairs and Border Security Committee is Republican state Sen. David Gowan, who has not responded to a request for comment.

“I was number four and I’m pissed,” said Reverend Christine Dance, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, at a press conference after the hearing. “Let’s be clear what happened up there. The room was packed with people who are against this.”

The bill passed through the Republican-controlled committee with a 4-3 vote along party lines, which Petersen celebrated in a press release.

“We need to empower our sworn agents to enforce our laws and assist the Trump administration’s efforts on this front,” Petersen stated. “I’m thankful for the support from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association on this vital legislation and for my colleagues who are committed to advancing this bill to the Governor’s Office.”

The bill still has several steps to clear before it reaches Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is likely to veto it. According to the Arizona Legislature website, the bill still needs to pass the Senate Appropriations and Rules committees before it can be sent to the floor for a vote. The bill does not yet appear on any agendas for those committees, though it surely will soon.

Whenever it does, perhaps more people will get a chance to speak.