PHOENIX — Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller’s pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement press conference was disrupted this morning by a large group of protestors.

After trying to host the news conference at the planned Senate lawn location on the first day of the legislature, protestors drowned out the newly elected top cop. Staffers quickly shuffled the Republican delegation inside to a small conference room. The raucous protest continued outside the state Senate building, with protesters chanting anti-ICE slogans.

Miller, a Republican who was elected Pinal County attorney in 2024, has become one of Arizona’s most outspoken local advocates for expanded cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Miller, joined by several Republican lawmakers eventually announced draft legislation that would expand Arizona’s obstruction statute to include interference, intimidation or threats against officers conducting lawful arrests, including during ICE operations. 

The proposed bill, sponsored by John Gilette (R-Kingman), would amend Arizona Statute 13-2402 by adding language that defines obstruction as interference or intimidation of officers making a lawful arrest.

Miller said the change would make such conduct a felony offense.

“What we’re doing is modifying our obstruction statute and adding a single line that says obstruction includes intimidation, threats or interference when a police officer is making a lawful arrest,” Miller said. “It must be a lawful arrest.”

The formal bill has not been introduced. Gilette is the primary sponsor on just two bills so far this session, that would mark both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as terrorist organizations.

Speaking of the protestors outside his event, who used whistles, bullhorns and drums to disrupt his event, Miller emphasized that the bill does not criminalize peaceful protest and would not apply to First Amendment-protected activity.

“What we saw outside is totally acceptable First Amendment activity, and we protect that,” he said. “We appreciate that people have passion and want to voice their opinions.”

Supporters of the county attorney held signs reading “We Support ICE” and “Thank You County Attorney Brad Miller,” while protesters displayed signs stating, “Stop the ICE Terror” and “Say Her Name: Renee Good,” referencing a recent killing in Minnesota that has sparked nationwide protests against ICE.

After that shooting, Miller posted to X that he supported ICE.

In response to a question from InMaricopa, Milller today said ICE would be in the county more frequently.

“I can’t tell you specifically about specific operations or what we’ve discussed because those are law-enforcement sensitive, but yes, we will expect more ICE operations,” said Miller, “and the reason why is because it’s absolutely necessary. We have traffickers, we have drug traffickers, we have human traffickers all throughout the county.”

Miller described ICE agents as “heroes” and framed the legislation as a public safety measure, citing increases in arrests and enforcement activity.

“As county attorney, I’ve witnessed firsthand the unchecked illegal immigration and border-related crimes,” Miller said. “Families shattered by fentanyl overdoses, communities terrorized by traffickers and our brave deputies and ICE agents putting their lives on the line every single day.”

Miller said more than 6,000 arrests were made in 2025 and that arrests in southern Arizona increased by 68% in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2024. He said ICE operations in Pinal County are expected to increase.

“These are not random roundups,” Miller said. “These are precision strikes against people who exploit our communities. ICE is making Arizona safer.”

He also cited a Dec. 5 incident in Tucson in which more than 100 protesters gathered during an ICE operation, describing the demonstrators as “agitators” and saying two Homeland Security Investigations agents were injured.

“This was not a peaceful assembly,” Miller said. “It was a reckless obstruction that endangered officers and the public.”

Protest organizers disputed Miller’s characterization, arguing the proposal would chill constitutionally protected dissent.

“When we heard that Pinal County was going to hold a press conference celebrating collaboration with ICE, especially immediately after ICE shot a mother in the face, it was extremely offensive to me,” said protest organizer Xenia Orona with Fuerte Arts Movement. “I’m a mom, and I move in communities that have been terrorized by this collaboration for many years.”

She said the protest was intended to confront officials directly and demonstrate opposition to expanded ICE enforcement in Arizona.

“It felt extremely powerful to come in chanting, singing joyfully, with music and instruments, and to say to their faces that immigrants are welcome here,” she said. “Our joy and determination are more than their hate and their fear.”

She also criticized the proposed legislation, arguing it contradicts constitutional protections.

“The First Amendment gives us the right to protest, even when it’s the police, even when it’s the government,” she said. “If lawmakers want to criminalize that, then they need to admit they don’t believe in the Constitution.”

Even after the press conference moved inside the Capitol, protesters continued chanting and holding signs against the glass doors and windows.

Miller said the relocation was primarily logistical.

“That was mostly so the cameras could hear,” he said. “This building exists so we can deliberate these issues, go to committee and debate the pros and cons.”

The confrontation at the State Capital comes amid nationwide protests following the shooting death of Renee Good. Demonstrations opposing ICE were held across the Phoenix metro area over the weekend.

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