The Phoenix City Council has denied a citizen petition aimed at keeping local police from doing immigration enforcement.
Dozens of speakers urged the City Council to approve the resolution.
The acting police chief repeatedly said Phoenix police already do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But the federal agency can move to take custody of anyone arrested and booked at a Maricopa County jail. So all local police departments end up working indirectly with ICE.
The Phoenix chief said people aren’t taken to jail for civil traffic tickets. And in cases other than domestic violence, most officers would rather cite someone for a misdemeanor than go through a time-consuming process to formally book them.
More law enforcement news
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The Chandler Police Department is launching a back-to-school traffic safety campaign. It comes just a few months after a student was fatally struck by a car near a school campus. -
Researchers used bystander video and news reports to put together a database of incidents where pepper spray, rubber bullets and other measures were used by law enforcement — resulting in injuries ranging from cuts and burns, to traumatic brain injuries. -
One of the cartels designated as a foreign terrorist organization is largely believed to be responsible for the 2019 killing of nine U.S. citizens in the Mexican state of Sonora. -
A city ordinance barring misuse of 911 is set to take effect in Scottsdale on Aug. 1. -
Part of a 2024 ballot measure that will create a state-level immigration system is set to take effect on Tuesday.
