Tucson adopted Ordinance 11546 in 2017 as an immigrant-welcoming policy limiting city use of resources for federal immigration enforcement, while Arizona SB 1070 (2010) still constrains how local police may act.
Tucson's 2017 immigrant-welcoming ordinance (Ord. 11546) limits city employee involvement in federal immigration enforcement and prohibits using city funds or property to detain people solely on civil immigration holds without judicial warrants. Arizona SB 1070 (2010), partially upheld in Arizona v. United States (2012), still requires officers to inquire about immigration status during lawful stops if reasonable suspicion exists. Tucson Police follow training that complies with both rules: cooperating with federal enforcement only as required by state law while avoiding broader entanglement. A 2019 voter initiative seeking deeper sanctuary protections (Prop 205) failed at the ballot.
Police officers and city employees face internal discipline for exceeding limits set by Ord. 11546 or for failing to comply with required state-law inquiries under SB 1070; civil rights claims may also follow violations.
See how Tucson's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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