Arizona GOP files ethics complaint against Sen. Ortiz for immigration advocacy

Sen. Analise Ortiz has faced criticism from Arizona Republicans over her support for immigrant rights. Now, they’re calling for her expulsion from the state Legislature.

State Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Maryvale) has long been a vocal supporter of Arizona’s diverse immigrant communities. But last month, the progressive senator was targeted by far-right groups for her social media posts alerting community members about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state.

Since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office in January, ICE agents have targeted longtime business owners, DACA recipients, mothers attending court hearings, and countless others in Arizona, prompting local groups to create Instagram posts to alert community members of ICE presence in the Valley. 

Ortiz reposted an ICE alert notifying community members of immigration enforcement activity near an elementary school on Aug. 5, prompting outcry from Libs of TikTok, a far-right social media account with a history of doxxing teachers, activists, and politicians. The account slammed Ortiz for posting ICE alerts, leading to a wave of attacks from far-right accounts and Republican lawmakers.

Senate President Warren Petersen (R- Gilbert), who is running to be the state’s next attorney general, released a statement calling for Ortiz to be investigated for “violating” federal law. 

It’s unclear what federal law Peterson believes Ortiz broke. Legal experts argue there is no law preventing the monitoring of ICE activity as long as activists do not interfere with their work. Recording law enforcement is protected under the First Amendment.

On Wednesday, State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) formally filed an ethics complaint against Ortiz for “repeated attempts to undermine federal immigration enforcement operations in Arizona.”

Ortiz has since said she will not back down in the face of what she calls intimidation tactics. 

“Arizona Republicans want Arizonans terrified to talk about what we are witnessing happening to our friends, family, and neighbors,” Ortiz said in a post on X. “The Trump administration is violating the constitution and we are bearing witness. These tactics are straight from the authoritarian playbook and eerily reflect the darkest moments in world history.”

The ethics complaint is supported by Sen. Petersen, Majority Leader John Kavanagh, and other Senate Republicans. The GOP is calling for Ortiz’s expulsion from the Arizona Legislature or disciplinary action.

A two-thirds majority would be required to expel Ortiz from the chamber, meaning Democratic legislators would have to join Republicans in voting to expel Ortiz. If they fail to expel her, the complaint suggests “severe,” punishment, including taking away her office, parking spot, administrative staff support, and unrestricted keycard access to the building.

The decision on what comes next lies with the GOP-controlled ethics committee.

In the meantime, Ortiz has vowed to continue representing her district despite attacks from the GOP.

“The future of our democracy depends on bravery. I choose to remain brave,” Ortiz said.