Demonstrators opposing a proposed partnership between the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and federal immigration officials drowned out a Republican press conference Monday, forcing lawmakers inside and signaling a contentious start to the legislative session.
In a show of political force, counterprotesters opposing a planned announcement by the Pinal County attorney to protect federal immigration officials disrupted a Republican press conference at the Arizona Capitol early Monday, forcing GOP lawmakers and supporters inside the Senate building on the first day of the legislative session.
Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller had planned to announce the support of a bill that would make obstructing the work of a federal immigration officer a felony. Miller's department has already worked alongside ICE law enforcement through expanding the agency’s role in deportation efforts across Arizona via a 287g agreement at the county jail since 2016. In 2025, Miller signed into another agreement in August last year with ICE that allows law enforcement to question and detain people who they suspect to be in the state illegally.
He was joined by Republican lawmakers Alex Kolodin, Matt Gress — the only openly gay Republican in the state Legislature — and John Gillette, who last year drew criticism for making racist and disparaging comments about people of color in an online post.
The counterprotest began about 30 minutes before the scheduled press conference and was partially organized by groups involved in recent large-scale demonstrations, including 50501 Arizona, which helped organize the No Kings rally at the Capitol and other cities statewide.
The crowd included a brass band, military veterans, faith leaders, political organizers and other activists and residents.
As protesters surrounded Republicans on the Senate lawn, Miller attempted to address reporters, but chanting and noise drowned out his remarks. The group eventually moved inside the Senate building, where protesters pressed against the windows, holding signs and chanting through bullhorns.
Inside, the press conference continued where Miller announced his support for a bill that would make it a felony to interfere the work of any ICE officer in the process of their work.
"ICE is making Arizona safer," Miller said, pointing to street level apprehensions against those who he said were all "illegal aliens, many with prior records of sexual assault and illegal reentry."
Monday marked the opening day of the legislative session.
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Mientras se acumulaban flores y velas frente a Venture-N, amigos y clientes habituales compartían recuerdos de Cameron Davis Capara y Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, dos hombres que perdieron la vida afuera del bar en Tucson.
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