KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill would require Arizona hospitals to ask about immigration status

hospital bed
Getty Images
hospital bed

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.

More Immigration News

Jill Ryan joined KJZZ in 2020 as a morning reporter, and she is currently a field correspondent and Morning Edition producer.