SB 1156 appropriates $20 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for costs incurred when holding people in the U.S. without legal permission (referred to as "unauthorized aliens") in short-term detention. This funding directly affects local law enforcement agencies and governments that manage detention facilities. The bill provides a specific reimbursement mechanism for these short-term holds, which typically occur while federal immigration authorities process individuals. It does not change immigration policy or create new detention requirements, only covering existing local costs.
SB 1444 creates a state-funded deportation task force led by sheriffs' associations to coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on deporting individuals who entered the U.S. illegally and have: (1) a criminal conviction, (2) been alleged to have committed a crime, (3) been detained based on criminal suspicion, or (4) been detained related to a crime. It defines "law enforcement agency" to include municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices. The bill appropriates funds for the task force's establishment and operation in fiscal year 2026-2027, exempting the funding from standard budget lapse rules. This policy directly affects non-citizens with criminal connections who interact with Arizona law enforcement.
