Immigration enforcement has significantly increased in Southern Arizona, with arrests more than tripling in 2025. This surge in enforcement has affected many residents, including those who had temporary protective status or no criminal record.

Local Impact

Karla Toledo, a Southern Arizona resident, was arrested by immigration agents at her home. Yesenia, another resident, was arrested while driving home from selling empanadas and arepas. An older Latino man was also taken into custody after leaving a neighborhood grocery store.

Arizona is home to several immigration detention centers and plays a key role in deportation flights. The increased enforcement has led to people who would not have normally had contact with immigration authorities being moved through the deportation system.

Arizona Luminaria is tracking the effect of these policies on local communities and the efforts of rapid response groups and immigrant rights organizations to provide support, including free legal clinics and a community-built map to track ICE activity.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.