Phoenix's Immigration Policy: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles immigration policy a little differently. In Phoenix, Arizona, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Sanctuary Policy Preemption

Arizona SB 1070 (2010) and HB 2792 (2016) bar Arizona cities from limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Phoenix is not a sanctuary city. The Phoenix Police operations order follows state law within court-imposed limits.

Key details: Arizona statutes: SB 1070; HB 2792. Cooperation requirement: ARS 11-1051. Revenue penalty law: ARS 41-194.01. Phoenix sanctuary status: Not a sanctuary city. Phoenix Police order: Operations Order 4.48.

Cities that adopt sanctuary policies risk losing state shared revenue under ARS 41-194.01 after legislative referral and Attorney General review. Officials face removal proceedings, and private parties may sue under ARS 11-1051(H) to compel enforcement of the cooperation requirement.

Phoenix is more permissive than most cities when it comes to sanctuary policy preemption. That said, there are still limits.

E-Verify Mandates

The Legal Arizona Workers Act (LAWA, 2007), codified at ARS 23-211 through 23-216, requires every Arizona employer to use the federal E-Verify system after hiring. Phoenix businesses must enroll regardless of size or industry.

Key details: Arizona statute: LAWA, ARS 23-211 to 23-216. Mandate scope: All Arizona employers. First-offense penalty: Up to 10-day license suspension. Second-offense penalty: Permanent license revocation. Form I-9 requirement: Still required for everyone.

Knowing employment of unauthorized workers can trigger up to a ten-day business license suspension on first offense and permanent revocation on second offense under ARS 23-212. Intentional violations carry harsher sanctions plus probation. Phoenix licensing incorporates state findings.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Phoenix actively enforces its e-verify mandates requirements.

The Bottom Line

Phoenix's immigration policy rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Phoenix is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Phoenix's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.