House Judiciary Chairman Quang Nguyen called on Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to investigate Phoenix Administrative Regulation 5.32, which restricts the use of city-owned and city-controlled property for federal immigration enforcement unless approved by the City Manager, according to a statement released from the State Capitol in Phoenix.
Nguyen said the Democrat-controlled Phoenix City Council adopted this policy as part of its Community Transparency Initiative, responding to activists opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. He said this regulation conflicts with Arizona law, which prohibits cities from limiting or restricting enforcement of federal immigration laws beyond what is permitted by federal law.
“Phoenix has no authority to put the enforcement of federal immigration law behind a political gatekeeper,” Nguyen said. “Arizona law is clear. Cities cannot adopt policies that limit or restrict immigration enforcement. This regulation does exactly that by putting the City Manager in control of whether federal officers can use public property for staging, coordination, or other operational needs.”
Nguyen also said the policy creates a local approval system that could delay or obstruct enforcement activity on city property and inserts local political control into federal immigration operations. “Phoenix crossed the line,” Nguyen said. “This policy does not simply decline to help. It puts city government in the position of controlling whether federal immigration enforcement can use public property to carry out operations. That is a restriction on enforcement, and Arizona law forbids it. No city gets to override state law, obstruct federal officers, or turn immigration enforcement into a permission slip signed by the City Manager.”
He added that the regulation raises concerns about federal preemption because local governments cannot adopt measures that create obstacles for executing federal law and gives broad discretion to the City Manager without clear standards.
Nguyen requested a written report within 30 days under A.R.S. § 41-194.01 and said if Mayes determines Phoenix is violating state law, the matter should be referred to the Arizona Supreme Court. Nguyen was elected as a Republican representative for Arizona’s 1st House District in 2021, replacing Steve Pierce, according to Ballotpedia. More information can be found on the official roster page.
