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2d ago

Arizona Senator’s ICE Sighting Alerts Referred to U.S. Attorney’s Office

Republican leaders requested a federal inquiry following Ortiz’s social-media posts, drawing a DHS warning of possible obstruction charges.

Hundreds of people gathered for the National 50501 Movement protest and march at the Arizona State Capitol Building on February 5th.
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Overview

  • Senate President Warren Petersen formally referred Ortiz’s August 5 Instagram alerts about ICE movements to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review.
  • Esther Winne, executive assistant to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, confirmed the office is aware of the referral and may forward it for further investigation.
  • DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Ortiz’s real-time warnings could constitute obstruction of justice by compromising ICE operations.
  • Sen. Analise Ortiz has defended her actions as protected by the First Amendment and vowed to continue issuing verified ICE sighting alerts.
  • First Amendment experts, including Gregg Leslie of ASU’s First Amendment Clinic, have affirmed that sharing observations of public law enforcement activity is constitutionally protected speech.