Public Safety Over Politics: Why PCAO Partnered with ICE

We’ve heard from a lot of Pinal County residents who are confused by the Board’s public claims about our 287(g) agreement with ICE and what the law actually allows. You deserve clarity—not spin. This partnership isn’t politics. It’s public safety. PCAO is using every lawful tool in the toolbox to protect our residents. It also aligns with President Trump’s public-safety priorities: remove repeat and violent offenders, dismantle trafficking networks, and restore the rule of law. Let’s be clear: we target specific offenders based on documented criminal behavior, with warrants, already known by law enforcement. We are not patrolling communities. Here’s where the narrative is misleading: Myth #1: “The Sheriff already does this.” Yes—the Sheriff has long cooperated with ICE, and that continues. When criminals land in jail after committing new crimes, ICE is notified and can act. That matters. But jail processing is only one tool. 287(g) has three models: Jail Enforcement (in-custody screening), Warrant Service (serving ICE warrants in jail), and Task Force (ICE-supervised operations targeting specific offenders). The Sheriff uses the jail model. PCAO signed the Task Force model—because Pinal needs more than one tool. The Task Force model allows all those who participate to receive information about known criminals in our community that should be arrested and held accountable. We shouldn’t wait for new victims to arrest known violent criminals. Myth #2: “PCAO has no law enforcement.” Wrong. Arizona law allows county attorneys to employ AZPOST-certified, sworn peace officers as investigators. This is standard across Arizona and has been for decades. They gather intelligence, support investigations, and help prevent additional crimes—working with the Sheriff, task forces, and now ICE. Myth #3: “This was signed in secret.” False. In July, we asked to address it in an open meeting—not for permission, but to notify the Board of our intent. The purpose was to provide the board and the public with much needed information about the program and give an opportunity to ask questions. We do not need Board approval to carry out our constitutional duties. Myth #4: “Outside counsel said it’s void, so it’s void.” A legal opinion is not a court ruling. Reasonable lawyers can disagree. But the Board declared the issue “settled” and presented only one side to the public. That’s not transparency. That’s narrative control. Bottom line: this is about lawful authority, proper process, and protecting the people of Pinal County. Public safety isn’t a talking point. It’s our job. Brad Miller is the Pinal County Attorney, a career prosecutor and Marine Corps Reserve Lieutenant Colonel committed to public safety, victim advocacy, and enforcing the rule of law. The Board of Supervisors on Monday filed a lawsuit against Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller in the Pinal County Superior Court, following the County Attorney’s refusal to terminate his office’s 287(g) taskforce agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In response, Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph R. Georgini put in place an order temporarily restraining Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller from taking action to implement or enforce the "287(g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Agreement" between the Pinal County Attorney's Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and setting the order to show cause hearing for February 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The lawsuit, attached below, asserts that the County Attorney entered into the agreement without approval from the Board of Supervisors, that only the Supervisors have the authority to sign the agreement, and that the powers specifically granted to the County Attorney under A.R.S 11-532 do not include the power to enter into contracts on behalf of the County. Additionally, the agreement purports to authorize certain investigators with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office to serve as de facto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers under the purview of DHS, yet per A.R.S. 11-441, only the County Sheriff, and not the County Attorney or his office, has the power to “preserve the peace” and to “arrest...all persons who attempt to commit or who have committed a public offense”.