Arizona senators urge independent investigations after deaths linked to federal immigration enforcement

PHOENIX — Arizona State Senators spent a large portion of their Jan. 22 floor session delivering statements of solidarity with victims of recent federal immigration-enforcement operations and calling for independent investigations and greater transparency from federal agencies.

Senator Raquel Ortiz (presenting a floor statement) said the chamber should "call for a full independent investigation into what happened to Alex and to Renee Goode, and to Silverio Villegas, and to Keith Porter," urging federal accountability. Ortiz said the Department of Homeland Security has shot multiple people during enforcement activities since September and demanded answers for families of the deceased.

Senator Bridal described the killing of Alex Jeffrey Preddy in Minneapolis as shocking and said, "Alex Preddy was not a criminal. He was not a threat. He was not a domestic terrorist," urging the nation and fellow lawmakers not to accept "false narratives" about such incidents.

Senator Brian Fernandez criticized the deployment of Border Patrol and ICE units into urban neighborhoods, saying that when agents "accustomed to remote border operations" are dropped into dense American cities "the result is the chaos and tragedy we saw on Nicollet Avenue." Fernandez called for removing paramilitary federal units from city neighborhoods until reforms and accountability measures are in place.

Other senators recounted local incidents and named victims, including Renee Goode (Minneapolis), Silvio Villegas Gonzalez (Illinois), Keith Porter (Los Angeles area) and Isaias Sanchez Barroza (Texas). Senator Austin cited media reporting and a list of recent incidents and urged colleagues to consider the broader pattern those incidents represent.

No new state legislation or formal sanctions were adopted during the floor statements; senators used the floor to press for independent investigations and local access to investigative records in high-profile cases. The statements concluded before the calendar and committee announcements later in the session.