ACLU Sues Arizona Sheriff Over Deputies Contacting Immigration Officials

ACLU alleges Pima County deputies call immigration officials during routine traffic stops, leading to a lawsuit for transparency. Sheriff Nanos denies, citing ended programs. The case spotlights community fears about racial profiling and undocumented immigrants’ rights during police encounters.

VisaVerge.com
Key takeaways

ACLU sued Pima County Sheriff accusing deputies of calling immigration during traffic stops since July 2025.
Sheriff Nanos denies calls, cites ended Operation Stonegarden and policy changes since 2021.
Lawsuit demands transparency on contact with ICE, alleging records altered after ACLU’s May 2025 request.

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona, claiming deputies have called immigration officials during routine traffic stops. This legal action, which began in July 2025, raises urgent questions about transparency, community trust, and the rights of immigrants in Pima County.

The lawsuit comes after the ACLU, represented by attorney John Mitchell, submitted a public records request in May 2025. The request sought documents about the department’s practices and policies regarding communication with federal immigration authorities—such as ICE or Border Patrol—during traffic stops. According to the ACLU, after this request, some records or policies may have been deleted or changed, which has sparked concerns about whether the sheriff’s office is following public records laws.

ACLU Sues Arizona Sheriff Over Deputies Contacting Immigration Officials
ACLU Sues Arizona Sheriff Over Deputies Contacting Immigration Officials

Sheriff Chris Nanos, who leads the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, has denied the allegations. He says his deputies do not call immigration officials during traffic stops. Nanos explains that any previous tracking of these interactions was a leftover policy from his predecessor, Mark Napier. That earlier policy, he says, was put in place to meet federal funding requirements under a program called Operation Stonegarden, which no longer exists.

Nanos also says that since he took office in 2021, the department’s policy on traffic stops and recording reasonable suspicion for checking immigration status has changed. He claims these changes were part of a larger rewrite and not meant to hide information from the ACLU or the public. The sheriff adds that the department does collect data on the ethnicity of people stopped for traffic violations, but only for auditing and to prevent racial profiling.

The ACLU, however, remains skeptical. Attorney John Mitchell points to reports from Tucson community observers who say they have seen deputies contacting federal immigration agencies during stops. The ACLU argues that the sheriff’s explanations do not match what people in the community have witnessed.

This legal battle is not just about paperwork or policies. It has real effects on immigrant communities in Pima County. Many people worry that being stopped for a minor traffic violation could lead to questioning by immigration officials, longer detentions, or even deportation. These fears are not new in Arizona, where law enforcement agencies have a history of racial profiling and unconstitutional detentions related to immigration enforcement.

💡 Tip
If you’re stopped by law enforcement, remember you have the right to remain silent and ask if you are free to leave. Knowing your rights can help protect you during these encounters.

For example, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, once led by Joe Arpaio, faced federal court orders and ongoing monitoring after being found guilty of racial profiling and illegal detentions. These past abuses have left many people in Arizona wary of any cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.

The ACLU’s lawsuit focuses on two main issues: transparency and accountability. The group wants to know if the sheriff’s department is following state and federal laws, and if it is being honest with the public about its interactions with immigration officials. The ACLU is asking the court to order the release of the requested documents and to clarify the department’s current practices.

Here is a step-by-step look at how the situation has unfolded:

  1. May 2025: The ACLU submits a public records request to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, asking for information about policies and practices on contacting immigration authorities during traffic stops.
  2. May–July 2025: The ACLU claims there were delays and possible destruction or alteration of records after their request.
  3. July 2025: The ACLU files a lawsuit in Pima County Superior Court, seeking a court order to release the documents and clarify the department’s practices.
  4. Sheriff’s Response: Sheriff Nanos issues public statements denying the allegations and explaining the historical context of any prior tracking policies.
  5. Pending Court Action: As of July 27, 2025, the case is awaiting judicial review, with the ACLU seeking a court order for document production and further investigation.

Civil rights advocates, including the ACLU, argue that any connection between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities increases the risk of racial profiling and unconstitutional detentions. They point to past abuses in Arizona and say there must be a clear separation between local policing and immigration enforcement. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such lawsuits often lead to increased public scrutiny and can push departments to adopt more transparent policies.

⚠️ Important
Be cautious about sharing your immigration status during traffic stops. Providing this information may lead to unnecessary complications, including potential contact with immigration authorities.

On the other hand, Sheriff Nanos and his department insist that their current policies are designed to prevent racial profiling. They say any previous practices were stopped to ensure compliance and transparency. Still, local community members and watchdog groups continue to report concerns about possible cooperation between deputies and immigration officials, which is why the ACLU has taken legal action.

The background of this issue includes the now-defunct Operation Stonegarden program. This federal program gave money to local law enforcement for border security operations and often required data collection on immigration-related interactions. Pima County supervisors eventually blocked continued participation, but some reporting requirements stayed in place until recently.

Arizona law enforcement agencies have faced several lawsuits and federal oversight for racial profiling and unconstitutional immigration enforcement practices. The most famous case involved the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office under Joe Arpaio, which led to court-ordered reforms and independent monitoring.

The outcome of the ACLU’s lawsuit could have a big impact on how the Pima County Sheriff’s Department handles public records and its relationship with federal immigration agencies. If the court orders the release of more records or finds that policies were not followed, there may be calls for new laws or local rules to further limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agencies and to improve transparency.

Community oversight and advocacy are expected to continue. The ACLU and local groups will likely keep pushing for accountability and policy changes, especially if the court finds problems with the sheriff’s department’s practices.

For those interested in following the case or seeking more information, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department website provides official statements and public records request forms. Updates on the lawsuit and related advocacy can be found on the ACLU of Arizona website. Court filings and updates are available through the Pima County Superior Court public records portal.

🔔 Reminder
Stay informed about your rights and the ongoing legal situation in Pima County. Regularly check the ACLU of Arizona’s website for updates and resources related to your rights during police encounters.

Recent developments have also drawn attention to increased ICE activity in Arizona, especially near immigration courts in Phoenix and Tucson. This has raised more concerns about the connection between local law enforcement and federal immigration actions. Arizona congressional representatives have also reported being denied access to ICE detention facilities, showing ongoing tensions between federal agencies and oversight bodies.

For immigrants and their families in Pima County, these events highlight the importance of knowing their rights during traffic stops. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you have the right to remain silent and to ask if you are free to leave. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact the ACLU of Arizona for legal help or to report your experience.

In summary, the ACLU’s lawsuit against the Pima County Sheriff’s Department brings attention to the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement’s interactions with federal immigration officials. The case’s outcome could shape future policies and practices, not just in Pima County but across Arizona. As the court reviews the case, immigrant communities, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement will all be watching closely for what comes next.

For more information about your rights during police encounters and how to file a public records request, visit the Arizona Attorney General’s official website. This resource provides clear guidance on state laws and public records procedures.

As this case moves forward, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate over the role of local law enforcement in immigration matters. The actions of the ACLU, the Pima County Sheriff, and community observers will likely influence how similar cases are handled in the future, both in Arizona and beyond.

Learn Today

ACLU → American Civil Liberties Union, a nonprofit defending individual rights and liberties in the U.S.
Operation Stonegarden → A federal grant program funding local law enforcement for border security and data collection.
Public records request → A formal application to access government documents held by public agencies.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws.
Racial profiling → Law enforcement targeting individuals based on race or ethnicity rather than behavior or suspicion.

This Article in a Nutshell

The ACLU’s lawsuit challenges Pima County Sheriff over alleged immigration calls during traffic stops, igniting urgent debates on transparency and immigrant rights in Arizona’s law enforcement.
— By VisaVerge.com

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Jim Grey
Senior Editor
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Jim Grey serves as the Senior Editor at VisaVerge.com, where his expertise in editorial strategy and content management shines. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of the immigration and travel sectors, Jim plays a pivotal role in refining and enhancing the website's content. His guidance ensures that each piece is informative, engaging, and aligns with the highest journalistic standards.
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