A new portal launched by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office residents to upload video and photos of encounters with federal agents who they believe are acting illegally.
The portal’s homepage says members of the public should use the form to report potentially unlawful activity by federal personnel from agencies like ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations.
“There’s a lot of fear in Arizona communities right now about what could happen if ICE escalates activity as they’ve done in Minneapolis,” said Richie Taylor, communications director for Mayes’ office.
Taylor says the portal is a way to create a public record of the activity and conduct of federal agents — and could be used in the event of the state launching an independent investigation or litigation. Submissions can be anonymous and people’s contact information will be kept confidential.
“I want to remind all federal agents of my expectations for them in our state: respect the law, do not mask, deescalate violence when possible and stay out of schools, hospitals and churches,” Mayes says in the portal.
“Those are the expectations that AG Mayes has as the top law enforcement officer in Arizona,” Taylor said. “Obviously, ICE has a different interpretation and has reversed guidance from previous administrations but we want to make the message clear that Arizona schools and hospitals and churches should be left alone,” Taylor said.
Taylor says portal submissions at azag.gov/complaints/federal-misconduct will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
