Pinal’s Miller Partners with ICE, Vows Aggressive Prosecution

In a significant escalation of county-federal cooperation, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced Monday that his office has entered into a formal enforcement partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through ICE’s 287(g) program—a move Miller described as a “force multiplier” for public safety in one of Arizona’s highest-traffic smuggling corridors.

According to Miller, several investigators within the Pinal County Attorney’s Office have now completed federal training and received 287(g) certification, marking the first time an Arizona county attorney’s office has been formally sworn in under the program.

“Evil exists in this world and it manifests itself through human trafficking, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and crimes against children,” Miller said. “This office will do everything in its power to protect this community from these predators.”

During a press conference, Miller referenced a recent indictment his office secured against Ismael Ortega Hernandez, an illegal immigrant accused of murdering his girlfriend in front of her children. Miller said Hernandez attempted to flee to a so-called “sanctuary city,” arguing that political rhetoric from elected officials has created a false sense of refuge for offenders.

“I am here to let you know that there are no sanctuary cities in Arizona,” Miller said. “If you commit a crime in Pinal County, we will hunt you down no matter where you go and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

The county attorney vowed not only to prosecute human-smuggling operations but also to pursue legislation to redefine the crime as modern-day slavery. He framed the 287(g) partnership as a critical tool for dismantling trafficking networks that move people, drugs, and violent offenders through the state.

Miller also took direct aim at Democratic lawmakers who confronted law enforcement during a recent ICE operation in Tucson. He accused Rep. Adelita Grijalva(D-17) of manufacturing a false claim of being pepper-sprayed to drive political outrage—calling it her “own Jussie Smollett moment.”

“There are some Arizona politicians willing to lie to you in order to get more social media attention,” Miller said. “It is unfortunate that these politicians have chosen to create dangerous situations for our hard-working law enforcement officers to boost their own profiles and raise campaign dollars.”

Miller emphasized Pinal County’s zero-tolerance stance on assaults against police, noting that being in the country illegally is a crime under federal law and has been for more than a century.

“We in Pinal County back the blue, and assaulting an officer here will land you in jail or prison where you belong,” he said. “There is no special treatment for elected officials. The law will be applied equally and fairly.”

Miller said, “Keeping our communities safe has to include every resource at our disposal,” he said. “This strategic partnership with ICE is a force multiplier for my office, and we look forward to getting more criminals off the streets to keep our community safe.”

When asked what Attorney General Kris Mayes might say about his decision, Miller didn’t hesitate. “I don’t care,” he replied, emphasizing that he is the chief law-enforcement officer for Pinal County, not the Attorney General.