Phoenix Council Moves to Investigate Impacts of Federal Immigration Enforcement After Disrupted Meeting

Phoenix City Council members faced heated demonstrations this week as a planned council work study session on immigration enforcement and transparency was disrupted by protest activity, prompting a vote directing staff to draft an ordinance following clashes inside and outside council chambers.

The Feb. 10, 2026, meeting was convened as a work study session by Democrat Mayor Kate Gallego to discuss the city’s response to federal immigration enforcement actions, including tracking and reporting activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and evaluating impacts on city services, as reported by KJZZ.

Protesters gathered outside Phoenix City Hall prior to the session and later disrupted proceedings inside the chambers. Demonstrators sealed their mouths with black tape while others chanted opposition to ICE enforcement activity in the city.

Today, the Phoenix City Council voted in a work study session to direct staff to consider drafting new city rules that would allow Phoenix to document local ICE operations that "violate criminal statutes and/or individual civil rights," and to potentially block ICE from using… pic.twitter.com/IGiJsdWOSF

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 10, 2026

The session centered on what officials described as a “Community Transparency Initiative,” a framework proposal directing city staff to develop mechanisms for documenting and responding to federal immigration enforcement within Phoenix city limits.

According to Gallego’s formal Directive to Develop a Community Transparency Initiative, the City Council:

“Acknowledges that immigration enforcement is exclusively a federal responsibility and that the City must comply with all federal and state-mandated requirements. At the same time, the Council shares concerns that federal enforcement operations have utilized tactics that have repeatedly violated the civil rights of citizens and non-citizens alike and placed the safety of residents engaging in lawful activity in jeopardy.”

The directive instructs staff to “explore, develop, and present a program framework” including the following components:

1. “Document and preserve information on federal immigration enforcement activities within Phoenix city limits that may violate criminal statutes and/or individual civil rights with the intent to investigate crimes committed by federal agents who act outside the scope of their duties.”
2. “Collect data on impacts to City services as a result of federal immigration enforcement (i.e., calls for service, change in response times, overtime costs).”
3. Identify potential partnerships and volunteer opportunities to facilitate the initiative.
4. Ensure multilingual communication channels across City services and resources.
5. “Implement training for City employees who may encounter federal enforcement actions, including protocols related to administrative and judicial warrants.”

Council members voted 7–2 to direct city staff to draft an ordinance incorporating elements of the proposed framework. Councilmembers Jim Waring, a Republican representing District 2, and Laura Pastor, a Democrat of District 4, opposed the measure.  

Opening the meeting, Gallego described current federal immigration enforcement actions as “a very scary time for so many of our residents.”

Referring to recent federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, she stated, “What we have witnessed in Minneapolis is no less than one of the most sweeping violations of civil rights in modern American history,” further characterizing enforcement actions as “a campaign of fear and intimidation that has no place in our country.”

Gallego continued, stating:

“There’s a well-founded fear that what ICE has done in Minneapolis could happen in Phoenix. We know they bought a $70 million facility near neighborhoods and grocery stores in Surprise that they intend to use as a detention center. At 32nd Street and Shea, ICE agents pepper-sprayed protesters with no cause whatsoever.”

She added, “That appears to be assault.” 

As of publication, no public statement from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the Jan. 26 incident at 32nd Street and Shea, as reported by The Arizona Republic, was available.

Addressing residents concerned about enforcement actions, Gallego added:

“Phoenix is a beautifully diverse city with a rich immigrant community. And right now, so many of our residents feel under attack by the federal government. To everyone who feels like that or fears for a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, I see you. I hear you. And we will do what we can as a city of Phoenix to advocate for our community and ensure you know your rights.”

The meeting was temporarily recessed approximately thirteen minutes into the proceedings after a series of disruptions, and portions of the session were curtailed. As noted by the Phoenix Business Journal, Councilwoman for District 5 Betty Guardado was offering her opening remarks in favor of the city’s proposed initiative when one woman began screaming and refused to be silent, shouting, “Kick me out!”

HAPPENING NOW: Anti-ICE protestors interrupt a Phoenix City Council work study session where staff is set to discuss directive to document federal immigration enforcement activities within city limits that could violate criminal statutes and/or individual civil rights. pic.twitter.com/2ipH3tsIMH

— Alexis Dominguez (@alexisdomm) February 10, 2026

“No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state,” the protesters chanted as the meeting was recessed for ten minutes.

City officials stated the transparency initiative is intended to clarify Phoenix’s policies and procedures in the event of increased federal immigration enforcement activity.

The meeting occurred amid broader protests across the Phoenix area regarding federal immigration enforcement and plans for a large ICE detention facility in Surprise, Arizona, previously reported by California Globe.

Phoenix Police Department officials have reiterated a January statement that local law enforcement operates independently of federal immigration authorities and have highlighted departmental policies requiring officers to clearly display identification and to avoid face coverings during operations.

As city staff begin drafting the ordinance, the proposed framework would mark a formal step toward municipal tracking and documentation of federal immigration enforcement activities occurring within city limits.

The draft ordinance is expected to return to the council within 45 days for consideration.