A bill moving in the Arizona Senate would require hospitals to ask new patients about their immigration status.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers, says answering the question would be optional and claims there would be “no immigration consequences.”
"It will help the state better calculate the cost of illegal alien health care. It does not, I’ll say again, it does not deny care to anyone," Rogers said.
Noah Schram with the ACLU of Arizona warned of unintended outcomes in a Monday committee hearing.
"Imagine, for example, that the data reveals that hospitals spend X amount on emergency care for undocumented immigrants, what happens then? Will funding be cut to these facilities? Will we see ICE agents, border patrol or state law enforcement stationed in hospitals?" Schram asked.
Opponents also say the bill would deter people from seeking medical care and lead to racial profiling.
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In a press release this week, city officials say they’re closely monitoring the situation of other cities — where the Trump administration has sent National Guard troops without requests from local or state governments. -
Indigenous peoples across the U.S. have been swept up in the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants and an Arizona tribe is taking steps to safeguard its membership. -
Democratic members of Congress could be back in court this month after they say the Trump administration is again denying them immediate access to immigration detention facilities. -
Republican lawmakers hosting a pro-ICE press conference were driven indoors as they were met with protesters at the state Capitol on Monday morning. -
Last Friday, The Show invited Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) to stop by the studio and offer his perspective on some of the year’s major storylines thus far.
