The Tucson Police Department says it’s monitoring federal immigration enforcement but is not taking part in local activity.
In a statement, Police Chief Chad Kasmar says the department is aware of and monitoring federal immigration enforcement activity taking place in cities in Arizona and in California.
Kasmar says that activity is also taking place in Tucson — but his department is not taking part. He says police officers will offer public safety support during demonstrations and will intervene if criminal behavior ensues.
Videos on social media show Tucson police in riot gear amid a confrontation earlier this week between demonstrators and security personnel outside an ICE facility in Tucson’s southside. Some protesters are seen throwing items at the facility’s window and spray painting the wall.
“The demonstration, related to national concerns surrounding immigration enforcement, began peacefully,” Tucson police said in a statement Thursday. “However, as the event progressed, several individuals engaged in criminal behavior, including vandalism of nearby businesses and the assault of private security personnel.”
The department says officers intervened to restore order and protect public safety. They arrested three people on charges including unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, blocking a public thoroughfare and resisting arrest.
-
The Chandler City Council is scheduled Thursday night to consider whether to renew a contract with a controversial tech company that makes license plate readers. -
A state judge says Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller was not allowed to sign an agreement with the federal Department of Homeland Security to allow his prosecutors to enforce federal immigration laws. -
Rep. Adelita Grijalva is calling the Trump administration to release a Tucson woman detained by immigration agents, saying she is protected by a federal program for undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children. -
A federal judge is once again weighing whether to intervene on behalf of a former Phoenix police sergeant fired for his behavior at an anti-ICE student protest in January. -
Audiences on each side of the U.S.-Mexico border watched the same movie just feet from each other during the Film on the Fence event.
