¶ Overview
In 2026, Petersen would not commit to protecting Arizonans from Trump’s federal immigration operations, instead indicating that he would welcome them and assist Trump with mass deportations.
In September 2026, Petersen was asked on a Spanish-language show if he would file lawsuits against the Trump administration if they conducted immigration raids in Arizona. Petersen dodged the question, dismissing it as “a federal matter.”
In May 2026, Petersen criticized Attorney General Kris Mayes for determining that local governments in Arizona could refuse to allow federal immigration agents from using county property. He claimed Arizona law was “crystal clear” that local governments did not have the authority to do so. In January 2026, amid rumors that Trump planned to send federal immigration forces to Arizona, Petersen said he would “welcome” them and “support whatever we need to do to keep Arizona safe.”
Petersen repeatedly pledged his loyalty to Trump and his immigration agenda. In June 2026, Petersen said he would assist Trump with deporting “everyone who enters this country illegally,” including DACA recipients, who Petersen said were “illegals” because DACA was not in the Constitution. In April 2026, after receiving a shoutout from Trump, Petersen said he was looking forward to working with Trump “to restore law and order.”
¶ Petersen Would Not Commit To Protecting Arizonans From Federal Immigration Raids, And Previously Said He Welcomed Them
¶ September 2026: Petersen Dodged Questions On Whether He Would File Lawsuits Against Federal Immigration Raids, Saying “That Is A Federal Matter”
September 2026: When Asked If He Would File Lawsuits Against The Trump Administration For Conducting Immigration Raids In Arizona, Petersen Said, “The Attorney General Doesn’t Handle Immigration. That Is A Federal Matter.” According to Petersen on Notas con Elvia Diaz, DIAZ: “If you are Attorney General, if you win the election, President Trump will still be president for about two years. It's clear to me that you've said you will focus on Arizonans, that you won't file the type of lawsuits Kris Mayes has filed, but would you directly assist President Trump —which is something that differentiates you from Mayes— in raids, in going after undocumented immigrants?” PETERSEN: “Well, the Attorney General doesn't handle immigration. That is a federal matter. If there is a situation where there are crimes, or obviously if there are criminals, cartels, drugs, obviously we are going to work on that.” [Warren Petersen Interview - Notas con Elvia Diaz, 9/18/26] (VIDEO)
¶ May 2026: Petersen Suggested He Would Not Allow Local Governments To Block Federal Immigration Agents From Using County Property
May 2026: Petersen Criticized Mayes’ Determination That Pima County Could Legally Refuse To Allow Federal Immigration Agents To Use County Property And Claimed Arizona Law Was “Crystal Clear” That “Local Governments Are Not Allowed To Obstruct Federal Immigration Enforcement.” According to the Arizona Mirror, “Pima County can legally refuse to allow federal agents to use county property for immigration enforcement actions because neither federal nor state law mandate the county’s cooperation, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes concluded. [...] Republicans lambasted Mayes for upholding Pima County’s policy, accusing the Democrat of taking stances that weaken law enforcement and put politics above public safety concerns. ‘Attorney General Mayes has officially picked a side, and it’s not the side of public safety or the brave law enforcement officers working every day to protect Arizona communities,’ Senate President Warren Petersen said in a written statement. ‘Arizona law is crystal clear. Local governments are not allowed to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. But instead of standing with law enforcement and Arizona families, Kris Mayes chose to protect sanctuary city policies that make it harder to remove dangerous criminals from our streets.’” [Arizona Mirror, 5/6/26]
¶ January 2026: Petersen Said He Would “Welcome” Federal Immigration Enforcement In Arizona
January 2026: Amid Rumors That Trump Was Preparing To Send Federal Immigration Enforcement To Arizona, Petersen Said “We Welcome The Fact That They Are Enforcing The Law,” And Said He Would “Support Whatever We Need To Do To Keep Arizona Safe.” According to AZ Family, “State leaders across Arizona are reacting to unconfirmed reports that immigration agents may be scaling up arrests and expanding detention centers. ‘I’ve heard of these reports, and they are incredibly concerning,’ said Oscar De Los Santos, the Arizona House Democratic leader. ‘We welcome the fact that they are enforcing the law, and if they are trying to make Arizona safer, we appreciate that,’ said Warren Petersen, the Arizona Senate President. While no official plans are in place for Arizona, DHS and ICE received a significant budget boost when the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ was signed into law over the summer. The bill outlined about $170 billion over the next couple of years, with an extra $70 billion for ice operations specifically. Recent online reports claim the Phoenix area might be the next focal point for heavy immigration enforcement. A move that state republican leaders, like Petersen, support. ‘We support whatever we need to do to keep Arizona safe. The thing that the public really expects from government and why you literally have people come to the United States is they expect the government to keep people safe, their property, their rights, and their freedom need to be protected,’ said Petersen.” [AZ Family, 1/2/26]
¶ Petersen Pledged To Assist With Trump’s Mass Deportations, Including DACA Recipients, And Help Trump “Restore Law & Order”
¶ June 2026: Petersen Called DACA Recipients “Illegals” And Said He Would Help The Trump Administration “Deport Everyone Who Enters This Country Illegally”
June 2026: Petersen Called DACA Recipients “Illegals” Because “DACA Is Found Nowhere In The Constitution,” And Said He Would Help The Trump Administration “Deport Everyone Who Enters This Country Illegally” If Elected. According to the Arizona Mirror, “In a terse exchange on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Petersen and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes traded jabs over the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. ‘Here is some free legal advice to our sitting AG. DACA is found nowhere in the Constitution,’ Petersen wrote, responding to video footage Mayes shared on social media in which she pledged to continue defending the rights of DACA recipients in court. [...] Petersen called DACA recipients ‘illegals’ and said he would work with the federal government to deport anyone in the country without authorization, including people who arrived as children. ‘I will keep our border secure and will work with the federal government to deport everyone who enters this country illegally,’ he wrote. ‘We welcome everyone who comes here legally and abides by the law. But be ready to be deported or prosecuted if you don’t.’” [Arizona Mirror, 6/17/26]
¶ April 2026: Petersen Pledged To Work With Trump “To Restore Law And Order”
April 2026: Petersen Said He Was “Honored” To Get A Shoutout From Trump And Pledged To Work With Him “To Restore Law And Order, Prosecute The Fraud & End The Political Lawfare.” According to Petersen’s Twitter, “ICYMI: Honored to get this shoutout from President @realDonaldTrump on Friday! With your help, the lawlessness of Democrats like Kris Mayes, Katie Hobbs & Adrian Fontes ends this November. I look forward to working with you as AZ’s next Attorney General to restore law & order, prosecute the fraud & end the political lawfare!”
[Twitter, @votewarren, 4/20/26]