On Tuesday November 3rd, Election Day, the Mesa Police Department collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to facilitate an immigration raid at the Food City on Mesa Drive and Southern resulting in the arrest and detainment of 6-8 immigrants. 

This took place less than a mile away from two polling sites. For the last year, the Trump administration has threatened communities across the nation with ICE’s presence at the polls. This action is a direct attack on immigrant communities and sends a message of intimidation for voters and residents of Mesa. 

Mesa voters have the right to vote without the fear of ICE’s interference and intimidation. Our sister organization, AZ AANHPI for Equity, has built a robust election protection program and team to ensure every voter is able to get to the polls and vote safely. 

We demand accountability from ICE and the City of Mesa on why this raid occurred on Election Day.

Mesa is the only city in Arizona with a 287(g) Agreement: a voluntary partnership between Mesa Police Department and ICE. Since 2009, Mesa City Council has opted into the 287(g) Agreement through the Jail Enforcement model. This authorizes Mesa Police Department to conduct immigration screenings after an individual has been arrested and charged with a crime. 

We demand Mesa City Council provide transparency on why this raid took place today on Election Day and investigate Mesa Police Department’s cooperation with ICE. 

One of our demands in our This is Our Mesa Campaign is that the City of Mesa ends its 287(G) Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

Join our campaign to build empowered communities: thisisourmesa.org