Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Alarmed by Border Czar Tom Homan's Vow to 'Flood' Cities with ICE Agents | Latest Updates | 17GEN4 News

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Alarmed by Border Czar Tom Homan’s Vow to ‘Flood’ Cities with ICE AGENTS

17GEN4 News – Phoenix, Ariz. (May 9, 2026) — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed alarm Friday over comments made by White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who vowed earlier this week to “flood the zone” with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in cities and states that limit cooperation with immigration authorities.

Homan delivered the remarks Tuesday during the opening keynote at the 2026 Border Security Expo in Phoenix — an event held right here in Arizona that drew Department of Homeland Security officials, Border Patrol leaders, and industry representatives showcasing border technology. In his speech, Homan directly addressed jurisdictions he views as sanctuary cities or states passing legislation that restricts local law enforcement from working with ICE.

“We’re going to flood the zone. You’re going to see more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen before,” Homan declared. “So, congratulations, because when we send these teams out there, we’ll find a bad guy — most times we do — and when we find a bad guy, he’s with others… They’re coming, too.” He framed the increased presence as a necessary response to policies that force federal agents to conduct more street-level operations instead of relying on local jails or cooperation under programs like 287(g).

The comments were aimed primarily at places like New York, where lawmakers are considering bills that would bar local police and jails from assisting ICE. Homan emphasized that mass deportations are continuing at record levels — with over half a million arrests last year and plans to ramp up further — and said “no one’s off the table,” rejecting strict prioritization of only criminal offenders in favor of broader enforcement to deter future illegal immigration.

Governor Hobbs, a Democrat who has repeatedly pushed back against aspects of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, responded swiftly to the border czar’s Phoenix speech. According to reports published just hours ago, Hobbs described Homan’s vow to flood certain cities with agents as “alarming.” While Arizona is not a sanctuary state and efforts to designate sanctuary cities here have failed, Hobbs has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that would have compelled state and local agencies to cooperate more fully with ICE. She has consistently stated that Arizona will not use state resources to support large-scale raids, though she acknowledges federal agents have the authority to operate independently.

In earlier statements this year, Hobbs stressed preparation for potential ICE activity, coordinating with local law enforcement to maintain public safety amid protests and operations. She has highlighted concerns that aggressive enforcement could strain community resources, create fear in immigrant communities, and divert focus from priorities like drug interdiction at ports of entry.

No specific surge targeting Arizona cities was announced in Homan’s remarks, but the fact that the border czar issued the warning while speaking at a major expo in Phoenix has drawn statewide attention. Protesters gathered outside the convention center during the event, including Democratic U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, voicing opposition to the broader deportation push.

As of Saturday, May 9, there have been no further public statements from either Hobbs or Homan clarifying next steps for Arizona. The governor’s office has not detailed any immediate policy changes or additional preparations in direct response to the comments. Meanwhile, Homan and other Trump administration officials continue to defend the approach as essential for national security and public safety, noting that ICE is onboarding thousands of additional agents and focusing on criminal networks.

This latest exchange underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and state-level resistance in Democratic-led or blue jurisdictions. 17GEN4 News will continue to monitor developments from the governor’s office, ICE, and federal officials for any Arizona-specific impacts or updates.

17GEN4.com