Last week, Arizona State Sen. Analise Ortiz defended her actions after admitting to alerting illegal immigrants about ICE presence in her district. The Glendale senator, who is also accused of doxxing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, criticized what she described as ‘fascists and white supremacists in power in Arizona,’ asserting her right to interfere in federal immigration law enforcement activities.
In a response to conservative social media site Libs of TikTok, Ortiz stated, “Yep. When ICE is around, I will alert my community to stay out of the area, and I’m not f***king scared of you nor Trump’s masked goons.” This statement has raised concerns about the potential risks of alerting individuals who may pose a danger to the community.
Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen has referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney for investigation. Petersen noted that an ethics complaint has been filed against Ortiz and will be processed through the legislature’s normal complaint procedures.
Ortiz has maintained her position, claiming her actions are protected under the First Amendment. In an interview with ABC15 Arizona, she stated, “I am not intimidated by this because what I did was simply alert my community to stay away from an area where ICE could be to keep themselves safe.”
The Department of Homeland Security has expressed concern over the implications of Ortiz’s actions, noting that notifying the public about ICE operations could endanger law enforcement and weaken national security. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented, “This certainly looks like obstruction of justice.”
Recent federal enforcement operations in Arizona resulted in immigration-related charges against 172 individuals, including cases involving illegal aliens who had reentered the U.S. illegally. One notable case involved Josue Sanchez, a U.S. citizen, who was arrested for transporting illegal aliens.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been active in filing charges related to immigration crimes, including recent assaults on Homeland Security officers. These incidents are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and protecting communities from violent crime.
The situation surrounding Ortiz has sparked a political debate, with the ACLU and Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes reportedly supporting her stance. Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller has expressed willingness to serve as a special prosecutor for the investigation into Ortiz’s actions, while Mayes has countered that Miller lacks the authority to do so.
As the controversy unfolds, it remains unclear how the investigation will proceed and what implications it may have for Ortiz and her supporters.
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