Arizona House members denounce ICE tactics and mourn Minneapolis deaths during extended personal-privilege remarks

Lawmakers in the Arizona House spent a substantial portion of the Jan. 26, 2026, floor session making personal-privilege remarks denouncing recent enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and expressing solidarity with the families and communities affected by killings and detentions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Representative Cabral opened the sequence of remarks, calling the Minnesota shooting tragic and saying members must respond with evidence-based action rather than division. "Violence of this kind is not inevitable," Cabral said, urging investment in mental-health services, community supports and accountability.

Multiple members recounted local reports of ICE activity and detention practices. Representative Garcia cited recent cases the floor heard about a 2-year-old girl detained and a 5-year-old used to prompt a parent's capture; Representative Abbatea described surveillance outside her home and people in fear of family members being taken. Several members emphasized that some people detained were legal residents or citizens and called those accounts unacceptable.

Representative Sandoval urged a transparent investigation into the Minneapolis killing of Alex Preddy, described on the floor as a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, noting video and witness accounts raised questions about lethal force by federal agents. Representative De Los Santos read a statement from Preddy’s parents asserting their son was not holding a gun when attacked and asking the public to "get the truth out about our son." De Los Santos read, "Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked... He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down..."

Speakers framed the issue in different ways but repeatedly called for accountability, investigations, and policies that protect constitutional rights. Representative Connolly and others said constituents are living in fear; several urged that federal agents follow legal process — present warrants and respect jurisdictional limits. Senator Simicak described the event as "an execution by the state without a jury or a judge" and demanded justice.

No formal action was taken on the floor regarding investigations or changes to enforcement authority during the session; remarks were expressions of condolence, condemnation and calls for future accountability.

What’s next: Members said they will continue to seek accountability and offered support to affected communities; no committee referrals or formal motions on the subject were recorded on the floor during this session.